Amy the Dancing Bear

Marking singer/composer Simon's debut as a children's book writer, and Datz's as a children's book illustrator, is this fruit of their collaboration: the simple, affecting story of Amy, a bear who dances the night away, and her mother, who wishes she would get to bed. Mother's string of wiles to send her daughter to sleep proves of no avail: Amy is too caught up in nocturnal tangos to obey. In a satisfying twist, her mother falls asleep while waiting for the dancing to stop--and Amy puts her to bed, then says her own goodnight to a ``dancing bear'' in the sky, the constellation Ursa. A minor cavil concerns the book's typeface: though reproduced clearly, the italic script may prove difficult for younger children to read. Framed with twining flowers, Datz's paintings swarm with color, action, good humor and detail, as an exuberant battle of wills waltzes to a magical conclusion. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)