BEAR & MOUSE RISE AND SHINE

Best friends Bear and Mouse go through their day, from waking up to playing in the park.

Bear and Mouse live together and, though portrayed as anthropomorphized animal children, fend for themselves with no adults under the same roof. Sweet illustrations in cheery colors introduce readers to the pair. The expectation of interactivity in the book is set right from the cover, where children can manipulate a slider to make the sun pop out at the top of the book. There is a slider or flaps on every double-page spread, all easily manipulated on the extra-sturdy pages. The story itself is simple and straightforward, with no surprises: Bear and Mouse wake up, have breakfast, put their coats on, get on a bus to go to the park, and then play in the park. Companion book Bear & Mouse Time for Bed has the friends getting ready for bed. Here again, children will have sliders to move and a flap to open as Bear and Mouse take a bath, have a tooth-brushing race, put on their pajamas, read a bedtime story, and get into bed, wishing each other a good night. Little ones may find comfort in the simple routines that many will recognize and feel familiar with.

Sweet and uncomplicated.