Bear may be big enough for school, but that doesn't mean he has to do everything by himself now.Bear is excited and proud to be going to school for the first time. He has a big-bear backpack with pockets for each of his school supplies: his lunchbox, glue, pencil case, and crayons. But there's no place for Floppy, his stuffed bunny. Readers with their own beloved stuffies will intuitively sense what the story's problem will be from Bear's sad glance back at Floppy, who is sitting propped up on Bear's windowsill. Sure enough, "something—or someone—was missing," and Bear doesn't color or eat snack or nap with his classmates. Miss Fox notices and asks what the matter is. Bear figures he's just not ready for school yet, but she tells him that "even big teachers need help sometimes." Together, they use craft supplies to fashion a pocket for Floppy, and Bear enjoys the second day doing big-bear things with Floppy securely in his backpack (alongside the stuffed pals of Bear's classmates). Yoon's digital illustrations use bold black lines, simple shapes, and bright colors to focus attention on the characters, and Bear's feelings are evident. His classmates include a lamb, a moose, and a panda (who eats snack with chopsticks).Going to school doesn't mean leaving childhood behind; stuffed lovies have a place still. (Picture book. 3-6)

Bear, previously seen in Found and Stormy Night, considers himself to be a -big bear- now, and he-s ready to leave his much-loved stuffed rabbit, Floppy, at home when he goes to school. Or is he? -Bear thought school would be lots of fun,- writes Yoon. -But something-or someone-was missing.- Luckily, Bear-s teacher, Miss Fox, is there to pass along some advice (-Being big doesn-t mean you have to do everything by yourself-) and help Bear with an arts-and-crafts project that lets him share the school day with Floppy. (Several of Bear-s classmates, readers will notice, are already bringing their own stuffed friends to school.) Yoon-s confident storytelling and appealingly chunky artwork create an emotionally resonant tale with some well-handled moments of levity-Bear-s bear-shaped backpack is both central to the plot and adorable. Up to age 5. Agent: Jamie Weiss Chilton, Andrea Brown Literary. (June)

PreS Bear is very excited about going to school, and these pages will prepare readers for what will surely be a grand adventure. Bear can cut his own pancakes. He has a backpack full of supplies. But as he gives his precious Floppy a goodbye hug, it takes no more than Yoon's deft alteration of the little bear's mouth for viewers to know that things may not turn out as he had hoped. Indeed, missing Floppy practically ruins his day. Luckily, Bear's perceptive teacher helps him make a little pocket on his backpack so that the two can continue on their adventures. Preschoolers will have noticed that some of the other students depend on their own "special friends" during the school day, too, and can easily connect with the notion that "being big doesn't mean you have to do everything by yourself." Yoon's trademark digital black-outlined illustrations provide a vivid background for this tight little tale aimed at the youngest students. VERDICT A great read-aloud for the beginning of preschool and perfect for one-on-one sharing. Lisa Lehmuller, Paul Cuffee Maritime Charter School, Providence, RI