PreS-K-This sweet story is told by a young bear to his mother, expressing her importance in his life. "Only you-/can make my dreams come true./Dreams lie sleeping in my heart,/waiting for my world to start./Only you." Whether it's cooking or playing with blocks, mom is there, spending quality time with her cub. Wells's illustrations are right on target. Most of them feature parent and child as the central characters, cozily enclosed in a square and surrounded by a soft, pastel border. The colors are muted but still bright, and the pictures are active without being too busy. Perfect for one-on-one sharing, this is another winning tale from this outstanding author/illustrator.-Heather E. Miller, Homewood Public Library, AL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

In this brief but instructive picture book (produced in partnership with Jumpstart, an early-education organization), Max and Ruby creator Wells once again demonstrates her talent for simple stories that mirror the joys and emotional undercurrents of childhood. Here, she takes on the voice of a bear cub whose mother is the adored sun to his moon, with words that echo the 1950s hit ("Only you... can make my dreams come true"; "Only you... can make my gray skies blue"). Together they cook, paint, dance and play with blocks. These everyday activities will feel happily familiar to young readers; the book's pastel block-patterned borders, softly framing the illustrations, and the mother bear's warm, solid bulk underscore the reassuring tone. Wells also aims the story at parents, gently reminding them of their loving responsibilities. For instance, in response to a frustrating toddler mishap ("Over goes your coffee cup..."), the mother bear reacts calmly ("but you laugh and pick it up/ Only you). Even the endpapers-telling parents to "fill every day of your child's year with lots of time together"-list what's important, from praise to kisses and hugs. In a square trim just right for smallest hands, Wells's latest title successfully models parent-child interactions with a loving message to attract readers young and old. Ages 6 mos.-5 yrs. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Only youà / can turn my gray sky blue. / Without you near, / I feel so very small. / How I wait to hear / your footsteps in the hall. Awkward rhymes and a stumbling meter mark these sentimental thoughts regarding episodes both humorous and tender. Wells's signature drawings of a small bear enjoying parental attention will attract her many fans, however. From HORN BOOK Fall 2003, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.