Added to the library in honor of the birth of Ava Kim Hamlett. Children's Literature: "No visitors allowed" says the sign on Bear's door, so when a small mouse knocks, Bear sends him away, but when he opens the cupboard for a bowl, there is the mouse. "Out!" says Bear, emphasized in large print. As Bear continues to make his breakfast, however, the mouse turns up in the bread drawer, and, after putting the mouse out again, Bear finds him in the fridge. Each time, Bear gets more upset and shuts up more parts of the house, while each time the mouse, "small and gray and bright-eyed," keeps reappearing. When Bear finds the mouse in the teakettle despite all efforts, he gives up. The mouse suggests just a bit of cheese and a cup of tea. The happy ending is then inevitable. A very civilized scene is set in watercolors, ink, and gouache, with appropriate details of cast iron stove, tiled fireplace, and patterned table coverings; it is the perfect place to find the sensitive, tubby brown bear wearing a much too small white apron. Bear's clearly defined expressions, gestures, and body language provoke us; we cannot help but smile. Mouse is a bit small to have the same comic power, but as we can see on the jacket, he can handle himself quite well. The very appealing characters make for a delightfully engaging story. Reviewer: Ken and Sylvia Marantz