Stop Snoring, Bernard!

PreS-K—This title puts forth a good effort with striking illustrations but falls short on plot. Bernard lives happily at the zoo with his otter friends, but his snoring is disturbing them. Grumpy Giles, who has had enough of the noise, tells him "to go snore somewhere else." Bernard tries sleeping in a waterfall, a lake, a puddle, and a cave. In each scenario, various other animals balk as well. Only the bats don't mind, because they're nocturnal. Soon the other otters beg Bernard to come home because they miss him, including Grumpy Giles. Acceptance is a beautiful thing, but Bernard still snores, resulting in a story without a resolution. Illustrations in muted acrylics are the real strength of this title, with details children will enjoy discovering. Otters wearing headgear and playing water polo are featured on the first page, while another is sporting a striped referee shirt. Bernard's sweet facial expressions create a cuddly and amicable character. Even Grumpy Giles's scrunched up expression is endearing. James Howe's Brontorina (Candlewick, 2010) and Candace Fleming's Clever Jack Takes the Cake (Random, 2010) tell a similar, but stronger story.—Anne Beier, Clifton Public Library, NJ