Get ready for a very special party!"The makings for / a cake are there. / The recipe's ready. / Where are the bears?" Parenteau's four furry friends are sweet as pie and ready to bake a cakebut for whom? It just might be for Big Brown Bear, who is having a birthday. Rhythmic text bounces along as Yellow, Calico, Fuzzy and Floppy mix and measure while following a recipe. Gentle and full of charm, this is a nice selection for toddlers and very young readers, who will appreciate the clear story, repetition and obvious affection shared among the lovable characters. Warm acrylic illustrations in a slightly-brighter-than-pastel palette show the round, appealing young bears as they wrap a present and don festive party hats. But wait, there's more! "The four bears shout, / Surprise, Big Bear!' / Here's why we / were busy in there!" Readers familiar with the series will be happy to revisit these good friends, while those new to the furry foursome will have a satisfying surprise in store. Preschoolers will enjoy this very festive celebration. (Picture book. 2-5) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Four small bears / measure and pour. / Who could they / be baking for? The answer is Big Brown Bear, who is very impatient to see what his friends are doing behind a closed door on his birthday. Yes, the bears of Bears on Chairs (2009) and Bears in the Bath (2014) are at it again, this time bringing their well-intentioned mess to cake baking and present wrapping. Walker's acrylic illustrations show off cuddly bears with bright pastels, while uncluttered backgrounds allow the focus to remain on the action. The rhyming text is simple and flows well (if with a bit too much reliance on rhyming bear with other words). Overall, this is a sweet story of friendship and birthdays, which would be a good pick for storytime or sharing one-on-one. Pair with Five Little Monkeys Bake a Birthday Cake (2004) or any of the picks in Karma Wilson's Bear series.--Linsenmeyer, Erin Copyright 2015 Booklist

PreS-In this sweet birthday tale, the cuddly bears from Bears on Chairs (2009) and Bears in Beds (2012, both Candlewick) are busy getting ready to celebrate. It is Big Brown Bear's birthday so his friends make him a cake and wrap a present to show how much they care. The text is light and fun with an easy-to-read rhythm and rhyme. "Floppy looks out with/flour on her chin./ 'Sorry, Big Bear./ Too soon to come in!'" The illustrations, done in acrylic, are soft and fuzzy. This story a good choice for birthday collections, but the bears are endearing enough to be enjoyed any day of the year.-Laura Stanfield, Campbell County Public Library, Ft. Thomas, KY (c) Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

In the fourth title about the four small bears (Bears on Chairs; etc.), they prepare a birthday cake for Big Brown Bear's surprise party. Soft, pastel-colored acrylic illustrations capture the exuberant cubs' sloppy, heartfelt efforts, especially wrapping the gift--a royal-blue ball. Jaunty rhymes and the perfect amount of tension make for a terrific preschool storytime read-aloud. (c) Copyright 2015. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.