PreS-Gr 2-Alfie Bear is back, and he's not any more excited about going to sleep than he was in When Will It Be Spring? (Dutton, 1998). It's a beautiful summer evening and Mother Bear's patience is beginning to wear thin as the cub tries to avoid the inevitable by pretending to be a fish and then an owl. Only when Alfie howls like a wolf and suddenly finds himself the subject of a real wolf family's curiosity is he ready for Father Bear's rescue and some shut-eye. The sweet story is set off nicely by the lush, realistic single- and double-page artwork. Young observers will appreciate the detailed illustrations and will enjoy finding the tiny chipmunk that appears on almost every page. While this is not an essential purchase, Alfie's fans will be excited to see this cuddly little bear in a new bedtime story.-Julie Roach, Malden Public Library, MA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

In his fourth book, Alfie refuses to go to bed, especially while other animals, such as wolves, are still awake. After his wolf imitation gets him sent outside, he encounters a wolf family and learns that even wolf cubs are supposed to be in bed. Alfie's behavior will likely strike a chord, though the soft illustrations occasionally border on the too sweet. From HORN BOOK Spring 2004, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.