ALA Booklist (Sat Nov 01 00:00:00 CST 2003)

In this cozy picture book about a mother and son's quiet adventures on a winter morning, Mrs. Bear (a very gentle-looking bear) builds up Sam's confidence in a sweet and memorable way. Mom and Sam bake cakes together, and Sam is encouraged to deliver them to friends' doorsteps. All by himself, through the newly fallen snow, he goes up to each door and leaves a tasty surprise. Then he runs back to Mom for a tender hug, his sense of accomplishment shining forth from the illustrations. Hest uses a soothing, repetitive voice for this instruction in gift giving (Mrs. Bear and Sam counted cakes, and there were twelve. They tucked them in bags, and there were twelve red bags), and Jeram's acrylic paintings capture the subdued light of winter mornings. Little ones will find this both a suitable precursor to naptime and a spur to be brave and act generously--just like Sam.

Horn Book

Mrs. Bear and Sam bake cakes on a winter morning to deliver to their friends. They wrap up the cakes and themselves against the cold, and Mrs. Bear coaxes Sam to each front door, saying "You can do it, Sam." The acrylic illustrations are warm and inviting in this story of sharing and confidence-building.

Kirkus Reviews

A warm gesture of generosity has Sam and Mrs. Bear up before dawn, baking, wrapping, and delivering small cakes in red gift bags to the sleeping neighbors' doors on their snowy street. Sam's exuberant impatience in the kitchen—"Come on, cakes . . . I can't wait . . . "—is tempered by his shy demeanor when encouraged to walk alone from mom's truck to each house with his savory treat: "Go, go, go! . . . You can do it, Sam." The satisfaction of gift-giving inspires confidence in this preschooler and a sense of security that's ultimately rewarded at home with his own tasty snack of cake and cocoa. Bright, colorful acrylics paint a dual scene of a toasty home life against a frosty clear morning. Endearing characters add to the sweetness and fulfillment that younger children will identify with, making this third Sam and Mrs. Bear story quite a delicious morsel. (Picture book. 2-4)

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1-In this third visit to the cozy home of a little bear and his loving mama, Sam has grown just a bit bigger, but not much bolder. When the two of them set out to make early-morning deliveries of the tasty cakes they have baked for their friends, Mrs. Bear encourages him to go to their doors. "All by myself?" he whispers. A heartening hug helps him to muster up his courage and make his way through the new snow to leave a red-bagged surprise on the doorsteps of several houses. And when they return home from making these neighborly gestures, there are two bags left over, just right for a brave little cub and his caring mother. Mrs. Bear in her big green sweater, the homey quilt-square curtains in the snug and humble kitchen, and the white mice with whom the bears share their home are warm and familiar. Jeram's bright, acrylic palette is gold-kissed and glowing. And while this story is not as fluid or as rhythmic as its companions, Sam's fans will find little fault with it.-Kathy Krasniewicz, Perrot Library, Greenwich, CT Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.