Mama Bear

Mei-Mei desperately wants a large teddy bear she spies in a shop window. When her mother explains that they can't afford it, especially now that their heater needs to be fixed, the child responds, ``If we had the bear, we wouldn't need the heater. We could hug the bear. It would keep us warm.'' Determined, she begins stashing coins in a glass vase. Then, after saving the almond cookies she receives for helping at the restaurant where her mother works, Mei-Mei asks for-and receives-the restaurant owner's permission to hold a cookie sale. At last, she adds up her earnings. But in an unexpected ending, Mother declares that there is still not enough money to buy the bear. Hugging Mei-Mei, she asks, ``Am I soft?... Am I warm?'' The daughter answers affirmatively, realizing, ``Hey, you are my mama bear.'' The delicate black lines and soft colors of debut illustrator Robinson's art make for some effective images, but the lack of background in most of the pictures leaves the pages looking empty and stark. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)