THE BEAR HUG

Every Sunday, Cubby Bear visits Grandpa Bear. Cubby loves the growling lessons, the fishing lessons, the hunt for food and learning to hibernate. The best part of the visit, though, is the bear hug. Grandpa Bear is sure Cubby can’t escape, but Cubby wiggles and wriggles until he gets free. Then the little bear giggles because he always manages to get out of Grandpa’s special Bear Hugs. A sweet if run-of-the-mill concept is made special here by the interplay of the text and the watercolor illustrations. First-time author Callahan’s text describes realistic bear activities for the intergenerational duo, but Bryant’s cartoon-realistic bears are definitely living in houses and eating in diners. Cubby and Grandpa “hibernate” in front of a TV with popcorn and fish with fishing poles. Libraries in need of a steady supply of cute-and-cuddly need look no further. A good gift for the Grandpa Bear in your life. (Picture book. 2-6)