One Bear at Bedtime: A Counting Book

Bedtimesometimes a difficult time for both parents and childrencan inspire alternatives to counting sheep: How about five lions, seven ostriches, or a 10-headed monster? Instead of winding down for the night and the cessation of all activity, these animals are just getting started. Kangaroos bounce on the bed, giraffes sit in the bathtub, snakes unwind the toilet paper and crocodiles use up the toothpaste. This won't soothe children as much as it will simply wear them out by the time they slip between the covers. For the child in this book, one teddy bear waits for him, and all the imaginary animals have gone to sleep. Inkpen's watercolor animals are a fidgety, frolicsome bunch of mischief-makers. For sheer playfulnesswhich suits the tone of this bookone tiny caterpillar appears on each page; when the count reaches ``nine caterpillars,'' only one is on the page, and readers can search for the rest. Ages 4-8. (April)