Grandpa Bear's Christmas

The collaborative efforts of Pryor and Degen in Grandpa Bear have been repeated in this holiday book, without the same success. Four short stories tell about Samantha Bear and her grandpa: how Santa Claus became one of the old bear's acquaintances, a trip to the zoo during which a lion invites Samantha to ""help him find his dinner,'' the search for the perfect Christmas tree, and a Christmas play where Grandpa performs the role of Santa. Much of this is cozy, thanks to Degen's cheerful Christmas settings and high-spirited bears. The story, however, lagsthe zoo trip seems to be merely filler; the first vignetteGrandpa, as a young boy, melts a snowman blocking Santa's pathseems out of step with the forgiving sentiments of the season. (4-6)