J.B.'S HARMONICA

James Bear has always wanted a harmonica, but when he gets one, and practice yields results, people compliment him with comparisons to Dad—an accomplished concert player. That's not okay; J.B. isn't ready to decide what he wants to be, so he thinks of alternatives to music (``an archaeologist and search for dinosaur bones''[!]); he even gives up the harmonica for a while. In the end, with sympathy and understanding from both parents, he realizes that, even with the same instrument, the song can be his own—and he can play Dad's song ``his very own way.'' Sebastian's first book is little more than an explication of its message, but his narrative and dialogue have a pleasing cadence and he creates a warm family scene. Williams's b&w drawings are a little dark, but his furry bears are as appealing as ever. Perhaps best for readers not quite ready for chapter books. (Picture book. 4-8)