Can you help Pierre find the shy swamp bear? She's sure to be somewhere close by? While engaging in a lively conversation with his patient grandfather, Pierre searches for the secret spaces, hidden nests, and hiding places that might shelter North America's legendary black bear. But that's not an easy task in this swamp, where blossoms and trees, shown in magnificent cut-paper illustrations, create perfect camouflage. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

On a fishing trip with his Granpere through the swamp, a young Cajun named Pierre ponders the life of the elusive (and now endangered) Louisiana black bear. Pierre's grandfather can explain just about everything about this mysterious, lush world, including how tannin in leaves turns the swamp water inky black. ("They fall into the slimy stew, and then, like tea, they steep and brew.") Appelt (Bat Jamboree) infuses the text with a gentle rhyme and rhythm that never intrudes into the subtle science lesson. Although Pierre gets a look at many other swamp creatures, the bear remains unseen, to him and Granpere, at leastDattentive readers will spot it on every one of Halsey's (Circus 1-2-3) dusky, subtly textured cut-paper spreads. In some scenes, Swamp Bear more obviously gorges on honey or peers out from the bushes; in others, the bear is specter-like, floating in murky water or peering out from behind the roots of a cypress. A final note offers additional details about the species, including the fun fact that it was the model for the original Teddy Bear, and the endpapers identify other indigenous swamp life. Author and artist convey the bond between the two protagonists as effectively as their passion for the ursine subject of the characters' hide-and-seek. Ages 3-7. (Jan.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

PreS-Gr 2-As Pierre and his Granpere set off on a fishing trip, the boy asks many questions and learns a great deal about life in the Louisiana swamp and about the American black bear. Written as a dialogue, the conversation bounces back and forth to form a rhyme. It is a typical grandfather/grandson conversation, full of questions from the child, and patient, fun-filled answers from the adult, which of course lead to more questions. Familial French words are slipped in here and there like "granpere" (grandfather) and "mon cher" (my dear one), and are just enough to intrigue and not distract. Pierre begins, "Is this the place where Swamp Bear lives?" Granpere answers every question, giving facts about the animal's habitat and behavioral habits. The warm-toned illustrations, which at times are more like landscape paintings, reveal the area's birds, animals, insects, and reptiles. Swamp Bear is always right there, but just out of sight of the humans. This is a wonderful book for intergenerational sharing and a great title to read as a unit introduction.-Wanda Meyers-Hines, Ridgecrest Elementary School, Huntsville, AL Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Ages 3-6. Pierre has heard stories of Swamp Bear, so when he goes fishing with his grandfather in the Louisiana swamps, he is full of questions for "Granpere." As Pierre pumps his grandfather for information on the bear's habits so he can catch a glimpse of the critter, Halsey's attractive, cut-paper illustrations show the cleverly camouflaged bear in every scene, along with some 30 other creatures and plants that live in the swamp and surrounding forest. Preschoolers will relate to Pierre's constant questions and enjoy searching every scene for the elusive bear. The story may prompt older children to discuss concepts such as camouflage, as well as some of the issues raised in the author's endnote regarding the endangered Louisiana black bear and the loss of the swamps and natural forests where it lives. --Lauren Peterson From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.