Utterly charming! Sure to be a classic! A beautiful story on many levels!  The large format sets off the fabulous illustrations wonderfully.  The characters and the circumstances of the story are very believable and relatable, with a bit of adventure thrown in to get the message across.  Three bear siblings, up to mischief while mom is away, accidentally break her favorite shell, and rather than face her wrath, decide that if they can replace it she’ll never have to know.  And so they set off in a small row boat on their quest.  After venturing far from home and searching high and low, with still no shell to be found, they start quarreling over who’s at fault for getting them into this mess, but when a big storm kicks up they stop worrying over fault and they each own up to the part they played, and head for home ready to confess.  Back home they bask in mom’s forgiveness, in the form of hugs and kisses and a warm supper, but they don’t get any dessert.  What kid can’t relate?  I think it’s fabulous!