BEAR’S DAY OUT

A worthy successor to We’re Going on a Bearhunt (1989), this rhythmic chant follows bear from his cave—“All alone? / All alone”—to the waves on the shore “By the sea? / By the sea!” Lured by sounds from the city, bear hops on a train: “Chuffy chuff / Chuffy chuff / Chuffy chuffity chuff.” Overwhelmed by rushing cars and people and hucksters in the market, bear flees to a park, “Down the street? / Down the street!” Some kind children rescue him and accompany him home, reversing the trip and chants. “Follow us! / Follow us!” Home again, on the shore in the moonlight, the children and the bear play “in the waves. / Splishy splash / Splishy splash” before falling asleep cozily in the cave, “Doo bee doodily doo.” Reynolds’s colorful illustrations are large and luscious, with the atmospheric and idyllic shore scenes at beginning and end providing a contrast to the busier perspectives and crowded scenes in the town and on the train. Pure delight. (Picture book. 2-6)