Starring an excitingly large and fuzzy bear and a tricycle-riding cub, McCourt's (the Stinky Face books) latest celebrates a parent's love. “I love your wild belly laugh—/ so delicious to my ears,/ I'd do my silly face a hundred times/ just to hear it again and again,” writes McCourt; Bryant (God Gave Us You
) tamps down the notion of “wild,” showing a delighted cub rather politely applauding the parent's silly-face routine. More domestic humor follows (“I love your never-ending surprises./ Like when you hate broccoli./ Then it's your favorite./ Then you hate it./ Then it's your favorite”) and Bryant's well-dressed bears have a wonderful time sledding and splashing and celebrating. McCourt's sweet sentiments will reassure youngest readers, but expressions of love this fervent may make strike some older children as uncomfortably mushy: “I love... the warmth of your small body/ and the beautiful beating/ of your perfect little heart.” If a book could be a piece of Valentine's Day candy, this would be it. Ages 3–5. (Jan.)
