Heaven is having you

"In reassuring couplets and gentle ink-and-wash drawings, this team explains just how deep grandparents' love for their grandchildren can be," PW said. Ages 3-7. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

PreS-As Little Bear runs into Grandma Bear's arms, she exclaims, "It's heaven to see you!" and the little cub asks, "What's heaven?" In gentle rhyming text, she explains the concept, using as examples the many joyful activities she and Grandpa Bear have with him throughout the day and the happiness they experience. Toddlers and preschoolers will recognize the activities, such as sharing a snack, having a bubble bath, reading stories, or playing outdoors. The verse is short and simple with two lines to a page or four lines to a spread. The bright watercolor illustrations are outstanding, either covering the entire page or double page or framed so that the picture appears to be a memory or thought. The bears have expressive faces and postures and are endearing and lovable. The pictures are large and bright enough for a group storytime, but this book cries out for one-on-one bedtime reading. However, some adults may question this nonreligious description of "heaven," which is lowercased in Little Bear's original question but capitalized twice in the text. Nevertheless, this enjoyable book celebrates the love and security found in everyday activities.-Marlene Gawron, Orange County Library, Orlando, FL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.