Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear

From Publishers Weekly Sort of a Jane Fonda workout program for the nursery set, this verse exhorts readers to join Teddy Bear as he turns around, touches the ground, goes upstairs, says prayers, etc. Those who have trouble imagining the appropriate actions can turn to directions supplied at the end (at the line "turn around," for example, we are instructed to "Spin around once"). Hague frames the text in sweet-as-can-be borders of a star-surrounded Teddy Bear in 10 pretty poses; facing illustrations, executed in watercolor, ink and pencil, conjure up a mirthful little teddy bear and a benign, bespectacled mother as they cavort against elegantly but relentlessly patterned backdrops. When Teddy Bear turns off the light, he is wearing star-spangled pj's and standing against duck-patterned drapes, which are open to a glittery sky lit by a smily-faced man-in-the-moon. "By combining a realistic bear with stylized, brightly colored backgrounds," the artist explains in an endnote, "I think a magical fantasy world has been achieved"--some may believe it's a confectioner's art. Ages 2-up. Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. From School Library Journal PreSchool-- Hague's lumpy and pudgy bears (a mother and child) are done in warm golden watercolors accented with Chinese red and warm blue hues. The text, framed by a border of bears and stars, appears on the left-hand pages. Additional touches include the teddy "turning around" into a puddle and then tracking mud into the house. And when he needs to "show your shoe," he really has something to display. A "Note to Parents" gives instructions for acting out the rhyme. Marc Brown (Dutton, 1989) and Carol Lawson (Dial, 1991) have similar versions available, but Hague's unique style merits another look. A cozy treat. --Jacqueline Elsner, Athens Regional Library, GACopyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.