The husbandand- wife team that gave us A Sick Day for Amos McGee, Philip and Erin Stead, are back with a new, beautifully illustrated tale about the quiet joys of friendship. Fall is coming to an end and Bear Has a Story to Tell (Roaring Brook, $16.99). He has many pals in the forest, but they’re all too busy getting ready for winter to listen. Being a good friend, Bear helps them prepare: he gathers seeds with Mouse, checks the direction of the wind for Duck, and tucks Frog away for his winter’s nap (Mole, as it happens, is already asleep). By the time Bear is finished, it’s his turn to hibernate. Will he finally be able to tell his tale when spring arrives? Ages 3-6. JLM