The Three Bears Rhyme Book

The wonderfully paired team of Yolen and Dyer (Piggins) has created another winner with this collection of 15 rhymed poems narrated by the smallest bear of the familiar three bears story. This insouciant, bright-eyed cub tells about the things that interest himbirthdays, flowers, rain or what happens ""When a Bear Gets Mad.'' The designs of Dyer's vivid pages are exceptionally clever, and the illustrations are a snug match for Yolen's lilting text. Dressed in red pajamas, the irresistible cub settles on his mother's lap while outside his window a winged dragon, a castle and pirate ship move dreamily across a starry sky. ``Read to me riddles/ and read to me rhymes,/ read to me stories/ of magical times,'' he says, and ``when you are finishedplease read them again!'' Children will say the same. Ages 3-8. (September)