ROSIE AND THE PAVEMENT BEARS

Timid Rosie, smallest in her class, dreads bullies; still, when they taunt her about stepping on the cracks (``The bears'll get you''), she's assertive enough to do just that, on purpose. It takes a day, but righteous indignation finally turns the trick: ``It's not fair!'' she shouts, and is suddenly seized by a fine self-confidence (visualized as two large, soft bears that only Rosie sees) that carries her through a triumphant school day when she jumps higher, writes more neatly, and tells better stories than ever before. Homeward bound, she even faces down two bullies who are teasing a younger child—only to find that the bears are gone, but she doesn't need them now. Predictable and somewhat overstated, but told with enough realism and verve to hold interest; the author's freely drawn, cartoon-style illustrations are lively and nicely expressive. (Picture book. 4- 8)