Gaila's little sister accidentally dropped her favorite stuffed bear in a mud puddle and now Gaila is waiting patiently while Bear E. Bear goes through a wash and rinse cycle in the washing machine and then bounces around in the dryer. While she waits, Gaila remembers several past experiences with Bear E. Bear -- the time Grandma sewed his nose back on, the time another child made fun of him, and the time he got jelly in his hair. A young child's devotion to a special toy are realistically depicted in this warm picture story which features an interracial (African American/white) family. (Ages 3-5)