Bear Likes Jam

PreS-Gr 1—Bear and his duck family return in this third installment, which features a sweet lesson about the virtues of foods that don't come in jam jars. Having never tried such perfect preserves, Bear is astonished at how delicious they are and vows never to eat anything else. He refuses to share, starts to sneak into the pantry at night, and generally begins to worry wise Mama Duck. She insists that her big bear have no more jam until he eats his vegetables. Bear's subsequent histrionics include lying prostrate, furry paw thrown across his face, convinced "he would become seriously ill." After a night of hunger pangs, Bear accepts the help of his clever siblings and makes a game of eating his peas, corn, and potatoes. Bear learns to enjoy his jam after a balanced meal and to share with his feathered family. Gavin's warm watercolor illustrations perfectly play up Bear's comical proportions in comparison with his duck family.