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Review by Valerie Kordowski
All right, Mom and Dad, if it doesn't work when we parents say something to our children, then let the "Little Bear" books do the talking. Let's face it -- sometimes it takes a third party to get our message across, and "Little Bear Brushes His Teeth" and "Little Bear Goes to Kindergarten" may help. These bear characters dress, talk and show emotions just like people. Why, Mama Bear even crams her paws into a pair of heels! Ouch!
In "Little Bear Brushes His Teeth," Mama Bear teaches us how to turn strategic warfare into a win-win situation. Little Bear doesn't like the taste of his toothpaste or the feel of his new toothbrush.
"Yuck! Double yuck! I do not want to brush my teeth!" he yells. Mama Bear tries a new approach. She tells Little Bear a story of how his mouth is the battlefield and his toothbrush, the weapon, fights the bacteria that are attacking his teeth. Two pages of clever illustrations show bacteria as stick-figures climbing all over little Bear's teeth with ropes and ladders, poking holes (cavities) in his teeth with their weapons. Mama Bear's story approach is successful and Little Bear becomes the Knight of the Shining Teeth. Reading this story to our children before bedtime may motivate the little soldiers to march to the bathroom to win their own battle against bacteria.
Some parents are faced with a new milestone this school season -- preparing a child for the first day of kindergarten. Clear your throats and wipe the tears, Mom and Dad. The day has come and "Little Bear Goes to Kindergarten" is an ideal vehicle to prepare children for the first day of school.
Though Little Bear is excited about his new classroom, teacher and friends, he becomes tearful when Mama Bear leaves him at school. Those tears soon fade as he plays with his new friend, Brandon.
The illustrations throughout the story help children to see all the exciting activities and new friends awaiting them at kindergarten.
These stories offer preschoolers appealing bear characters in everyday experiences with plenty of large, full-color illustrations. Let's see, parents, how can Little Bear help us next?
Valerie Kordowski is the mother of a pre-kindergartener in Nashville, Tennessee.
©1997, ProMotion, inc.
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