The Bear Under the Stairs

Interestingly, this book has almost exactly the same plot as Dear Bear by Joanna Harrison, reviewed in the last issue of BfK. Small child thinks there's a bear in the cupboard under the stairs, becomes obsessed with fear and is helped to deal with it by wise parent. The contrast between the two books lies in the solution found and it would be interesting to read both books with children and chat over the problem with them. The pictures are particularly good at suggesting the dark unknown and could help a small child overcome a fear of monsters under the stairs - or anywhere else for that matter.