The story of Paddington Bear's discovery by the Browns and eventual arrival at their home is told in a simplified narrative with rebuses and three pop-ups. The rebuses appear in the text on tiny lift-the-flaps with the words hidden beneath. Little is gained by this gimmicky treatment. From HORN BOOK 1995, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Ages 3^-7. Just in time for Paddington Bear's 40th birthday, here's a new picture book telling the story of his meeting the Brown family in Paddington Station and how he goes home to live with them. Compared with the two earlier picture books of the same title (1972, 1992), which introduce Paddington in similar fashion, the text of this edition is a little longer and closer to the first two chapters in the original chapter book, A Bear Called Paddington. Alley's lively ink-and-watercolor-wash illustrations capture the winsome charm and gentle humor of this unassuming bear. Libraries may want several of this appealing picture book. --Carolyn Phelan

How the beloved bruin Paddington is found at a railway station and becomes a member of the Brown family is the subject of Paddington Bear: A Lift-the-Flap Rebus Book by Michael Bond, illus. by Nick Ward. Pop-ups and pull-tabs join lift-the-flap rebus pictures for lots of visual oomph (HarperFestival, $11.95 16p, ages 4-8 ISBN 0-694-00838-9, Dec.). (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved