Published by Roaring Brook Press

Summary:  It’s a perfect day for Cat, Dog, Chickadee, and Squirrel.  Cat is enjoying the warm sun in the garden, Dog is cooling off in the wading pool, Chickadee is enjoying the birdseed Bert just put in the feeder, and Squirrel has a whole corncob to himself.  But then…Bear shows up.  Bear crams the corncob in his mouth, scarfs down the birdseed and the water in the pool, and rolls around in the garden before falling asleep in the sun.  It’s a perfect day for Bear, as Bert, Cat, Dog Squirrel, and Chickadee watch from the window.  32 pages; ages 3-8.

Pros:  A funny story, beautifully illustrated by Caldecott honor winner Lane Smith.

Cons:  The whole premise seemed like a bit of a downer for everyone but Bear.