"To a tiny bear, it seems like the world is made for the 'great big bears' — like his parents — who survey their domain from 'great big chairs.' The cub's older brother has it pretty good, too. No high chairs 'with straps so/ tiny bears don't fall' for those of his brother's ilk: 'middling bears' get to sit in 'middling chairs,' big enough to serve as pretend pirate ships (and if those middling bears take a tumble from the mast, they get right up again and 'never cry'). But while tiny bears may get bossed around a lot and have yet to prepare for that rough-and-tumble life, they do have one advantage: they can 'cuddle up/ to take a nap/ upon the chair/ that's Papa's lap.' Yolen's (Soft House, reviewed below) empathetic rhyming text infuses the classic preschooler's complaint with touching eloquence; as always, she connects with young readers without pandering to them. Sweet (Carmine: A Little More Red) makes an ideal visual partner. Her mixed-media illustrations exude a sunny open-heartedness; the slightly naf style opts for emotional authenticity over realism, but Sweet also includes plenty of domestic details to create a bear household that is both a loving one and also a great setting for a play date. Above all, the pictures assure youngsters that no matter how they may rail against the injustices of being small, there are still many benefits. Ages 2-5." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

In this sweet, bedtime story, Baby Bear discovers that Papa's lap is the best chair of all!

Baby Bear is the littlest bear in his family, and sometimes that's not so easy. Mama and Papa Bear get to stay up late in their great big chairs. Big brother gets to play fun games in his middle-sized chair. And Baby Bear only seems to cause trouble in his own tiny chair. But at the end of the day, he finds the one perfect chair that's comfier and cozier than all the rest.

Bestselling author Jane Yolen and popular illustrator Melissa Sweet have come together to create a lyrical bedtime tale about a baby bear trying to find his place in a family. With a playful rhyming text and adorable, fun illustrations, here is a book for parents and their own baby bears to treasure.

JANE YOLEN has written more than two hundred books for children and adults, including How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? and Grandma's Hurrying Child. She lives in Massachussetts.

MELISSA SWEET has illustrated numerous picture books, including I Love You, Too by Eve Bunting, the books in the Pinky and Rex series, and Won't You Be My Kissaroo? She lives in Rockport, Maine.