Snowy Bear

Snowy Bear, a young polar bear, conquers his fear of the dark with some help from his grandfather. Already too scared to leave his cave at night with the wind howling outside, Snowy Bear is even more terrified when a strange shadow appears at the entrance to the cave: "Tears trickled down his cheeks and made puddles on his paws." Luckily, it's only Granddad, who takes Snowy Bear outdoors, where "stars glinted like diamonds, and the moon glowed a soft, dreamy gold." Snowy Bear's newfound confidence comes quickly and easily, but the gauzy (unattributed) paintings capably show that the night can be plenty "magical," especially in the snowy north. Ages 3%E2%80%936. (Sept.)