The Valentine bears

PreS-Gr 2-Eve Bunting's tender Valentine tale (Clarion, 1983) is nicely presented in this well-done book/tape combination. Mrs. Bear has a surprise in store for Mr. Bear. She's gotten up during hibernation just so they can celebrate a special Valentine's Day. Her preparations show the love she has for Mr. Bear. Mr. Bear, as it turns out, has some surprises of his own. Together they share a special day before once again settling down for a long sleep. The female narrator reads the gently humorous story well, creating individual voices for both of the Bears. Light background music changes to accent story action, enhancing the words. Some minor sound effects are also included. This is a nice presentation that would make a good listening center, and not just in February.-Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

For just one moment, lightning almost strikes: Mrs. Bear, settling in for the winter, set the alarm early--for February 14--so she and Mr. Bear could, for once, celebrate Valentine's Day. But when she rises, goes out in the unaccustomed cold, and prepares a Valentine breakfast for Mr. Bear, he won't be awakened and he won't get up. So what does this loving, Valentine-proferring spouse do? She goes for a can of ice water--whereupon Mr. Bear springs up and hugs her and says it was all a joke, he even had a present (chocolate-covered ants) tucked away and waiting. Now if she had let him go back to sleep, that would have been true love. A banal conceit, and unappealing pictures. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.