The allegory of the bears, lovable rough barbarians, who invaded Sicily and were corrupted by men, will appeal perhaps as much to the adult who shares it with a child of ten and up, as to the child, who may read it simply as a fantasy. An original tale which well deserves translating for American youth- though at times the translation seems complex, and the moralizing tone strikes a note foreign to American ears. But the opera-comique effect, the substantial plot, the humorous drawings-and full pages in color- by the author, make it appealing to a selective audience. Introduce it more as allegory than fairy tale- and note that the age level is definitely above that usually associated with fairy tales.