What Will I Do Without You?

From Library Journal PreSchool-Grade 1-It's time for Jefferson Bear to hibernate for the winter, and his friend Figgy Twosocks, a young fox, doesn't understand why he has to go away. Without him, she amuses herself by building a giant snow bear and avoiding snowballs thrown by her brothers. Soon, however, she finds a new friend in Hoptail the squirrel, who keeps her company throughout the long winter. As spring approaches, Figgy worries that Jefferson will be angry with her for making a new friend, but finds that her fears were unfounded. Though the characters' names are rather cutesy, their worries will be immediately recognizable to children. The illustrations are appealing enough, depicting Jefferson Bear as a big, huggable creature and Figgy as small and worried. The warm orange of her fur is set off throughout by the icy tones of the landscapes, making her the center of attention. A book that combines two oft-asked-for topics: hibernation and making new friends.