Big Brown Bear and his smaller bear friends, Fuzzy, Yellow, Floppy, and Calico, excitedly paw through a box of costumes. Knocked onto her behind, Floppy Bear waits until the others have finished grabbing and bickering over their finds. But by then, sadly, only a crumpled blue sash remains. Fuzzy Bear quickly apologizes and offers Floppy a golden gown. Calico Bear gives up a wand, and Yellow Bear hands over a silvery necklace. Big Brown Bear curls a jeweled belt into a crown for Floppy. Now radiantly happy, she declares herself "the holiday queen" and leads the bears outside for Halloween. "When the bears all share, / the bears all win. / Let the Halloween / celebration begin!" It's a lightly delivered lesson within the context of an exciting excursion for these excitable but good-hearted, teddy-bear-like friends. Written in rhymed couplets that read aloud smoothly and illustrated with expressive acrylic paintings, this picture book ends on an upbeat note that suits the holiday theme. An appealing addition to the series that began with Bears on Chairs (2009).

Does the box of Halloween costumes contain enough to clothe a passel of bears?There's a lot inside that carton: "hats, capes, and bats," for example, and much more besides. And here come the four excited little bears, eager to comb through the contents to find the right trick-or-treat get-ups. At first, they find just what they want. Then, they simultaneously shout and pull at one another's pickings as well, each desperately needing what another one has. The hubbub causes poor little Floppy to fall on her rear, so she tells Big Brown Bear she'll wait until the others are done. Unfortunately, by the time everyone else has grabbed their stash, there's nothing left in the box but a crumpled-up sash. Contrite, all the other bears willingly share their largesse with Floppy, turning her into the "holiday queen." She leads the parade outdoors, all the bears dressed in their Halloween finest. This latest in Parenteau and Walker's Bears on Chairs series is a sweet, brief rhyming tale for very young children that emphasizes kindness and sharing-a fine message for Halloween or any time. The lilting verses move smoothly and rhythmically and express a familiar scenario. The colorful, expressive illustrations are endearing; minimal text and lots of white space per page focus attention on the characters and goings-on.Enjoyable holiday fare for the littlest trick-or-treaters. (Picture book. 3-5)

These seasoned collaborators treat their feisty bear characters-first introduced in Bears on Chairs-to a Halloween adventure in their latest story touting the benefits of cooperation. Big Brown Bear subtly supervises as the four cuddly cubs dive-literally and greedily-into a cardboard box of Halloween costumes. When little Floppy is pushed aside, she patiently awaits her turn, only to find the plundered box all but empty. Unprompted, the others rush to offer pieces of their costumes, decking Floppy out in festive attire that makes her the self-described -holiday queen!- Walker-s simply rendered acrylic art packs oodles of expressiveness into the soft and fuzzy cubs- faces and body language, affirming Parenteau-s message: -When the bears all share,/ the bears all win./ Let the Halloween/ celebration begin!- Ages 2-5. (July)