Patricia M. Scarry (1924–1995)

So you want to be in with the in-crowd, but they're always running away and leaving you behind to deal with their mess? Stay and clean it up, then you will be rewarded. They will want some of your prize. Give it to them! Then they will like you. Is this really good advice in the real world?

Richard Scarry is best known for his classic illustrations, and this little story written by his wife has the perfect narrative accompaniment. I love the lighthearted approach to a common family friction point: bedtime. Mother and Father Bear take perfectly in their stride Little Bear’s reluctance to go to sleep, and make the last note of the day a playful one. C is old enough to tell that Father Bear is just pretending, which adds to the fun because she’s in on the joke!

Read the newer picture-book size edition and glad of it. Normally I don't like animals in clothing, or females in long housedresses, etc., but these illustrations just charmed me. And the plot and theme are wonderful. This would make a good father's day gift to an expectant or new daddy.

I spent years hunting down this book before I finally found it used on Amazon. The little rabbit in this book, Richard, is so sweet. He makes cookies with his mom, gets into trouble with his friends, and does all kinds of other cute things. The illustrations are *darling.* I read these stories with my mother when I was very young, and when it came time for kids of my ow, I knew it was a book I simply couldn't go the rest of my life without!