Maybe a Bear Ate It! by Robie H. Harris, illustrated by Michael Emberley

The main character in this story (a dog? a cat? a critter...)is reading in bed when he dozes off. Suddenly his book is gone, nowhere to be found. "Maybe a bear ate it." Other possiblities ensue involving a rhino, a bat, a shark,and an elephant. The book is finally unearthed, of course, right where it was put down, under the bed covers. The illustrations are hilarious, especially the one of the fierce bear devouring the book with a fork. Anyone who has ever misplaced a favorite book will immediately relate to this clever story. It will be great for reading aloud. Grades K-2.