This is the story of Big Smelly Bear who never washes or brushes and who smells so bad that only flies will come near him. When he gets and itch on his back that he can't scratch, Big Fluffy Bear offers to scratch it for him, only if he takes a bath.

Though the story is not particularly interesting, it may be useful to parents who have children who don't like to wash. Moral of the story: if you don't wash, you'll smell, if you smell you wont have friends; if you do wash, you wont smell, if you don't smell you will have friends.

The illustrations are reminiscent of Eric Carle. They're simple, but interesting and match the text. However, they would not tell the story alone very well without the test. The colors are very earthy to represent nature and the bear's habitat. The bear bear takes up most of every page, showing just how big he is.

If you like this book, you may also enjoy "How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food" by Jane Yolen. It is about manners and the washing and preparing one does before going to bed.