The Bear’s Surprise

Chaud doesn’t rest on his laurels in this wonderfully energetic follow-up to The Bear’s Song and The Bear’s Sea Escape. This time, Little Bear is hunting for his father, and die-cut holes guide readers from location to location. As usual, Chaud’s expansive scenes are packed with quirky, amusing details (two children have an underground tea party, not far from where several moles dance under a disco ball). Beyond the surprises of where Little Bear will pop up next, Chaud rounds out his ursine family with not one but two new characters, perhaps setting the stage for adventures still to come. Ages 3–5. (Oct.)