THE BEAR WHO DIDN'T LIKE HONEY

Little Bear becomes a master of equivocation to avoid confronting his fears. He's not frightened by the night—he just isn't tired. He's not scared of the water—he just feels cold. And he's not afraid of bees—he just doesn't like honey. ``Scaredy Bear, Scaredy Bear!'' his siblings tease. Then, when a tiny cub stuck up in a tree calls out for help, Little Bear's own fears melt away. He rescues the wee bear and after being praised by its parent, feels confident enough to take on a buzzing hive and get himself some honey. Fuzzy watercolors give the book a suitably cozy feel, and even the bees—with their big red clown noses and stingers shaped like chocolate chips—seem more likely to snuggle than scare. Predictable cuddliness, but comforting to preschoolers about to commence their own foraging. (Picture book. 3-6)