JASON'S BEARS

A child finds courage in a cookie and exacts sweet revenge on a pesky big brother, in this triumphant tale. Jason dotes on “the big of bears, the brave of bears, the nobodybettermesswithme of bears”—until brother Kurt tells him about the toenibbling bear in the back yard, the one in the basement that likes noses, and the big one right under his bed. However, Kurt's effort to cap the head game with a fierce looking gingerbread bear (recipe included, happily) backfires. Jason's fear disappears with the cookie, and as he chomps, off he stomps to roust out the lurking beasts. Lighting his scenes to create dark corners and looming shadows, Hawkes (Weslandia, 1999, etc) not only captures Jason's intense, though temporary, anxiety, but also provides actual bears for him to chase away—or in the case of the one under his bed, to suggest a move to under Kurt’s. Children, especially those with overactive imaginations, will be cheered by Jason's refound boldness, and will understand perfectly well from whence it really springs. (Picture book. 68)