Rating: 
Summary: With a good Little Bear voice...they'll be hooked!
Review: As a 1st and 2nd grade teacher who owns over 1,500 children's books... I have to say that this book is in my top 2 for reading aloud to my students, or anyone who will listen. All it took was a thought to what little bear might sound like (little, scared, and a little bit mischevious). Once I got the voice down, this book became a frequently requested, and rerequested read aloud. My students, it seems could listen to it again and again. They enjoy the illustrations and watching Little Bear "try to go to sleep", while gradually revealing quite a fear of the dark, which some of them identify with. This is a great story to read out loud at bedtime or anytime!
Rating:
Summary: With a good Little Bear voice...they'll be hooked!
Review: As a 1st and 2nd grade teacher who owns over 1,500 children's books... I have to say that this book is in my top 2 for reading aloud to my students, or anyone who will listen. All it took was a thought to what little bear might sound like (little, scared, and a little bit mischevious). Once I got the voice down, this book became a frequently requested, and rerequested read aloud. My students, it seems could listen to it again and again. They enjoy the illustrations and watching Little Bear "try to go to sleep", while gradually revealing quite a fear of the dark, which some of them identify with. This is a great story to read out loud at bedtime or anytime!
Rating:
Summary: Short term hibernation
Review: Here's a doozy of a question for you. How is it that British picture books have cornered the market on the old scared-of-the-dark theme? I am referring, of course, to not only "The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark" but also the delightful, "Can't You Sleep, Little Bear?". Both British, these books have won wild applause and great heaping helpfuls of praise from professional and (ahem) amateur reviewers alike. In the case of the Waddell and Firth book, "Can't You Sleep, Little Bear" was once referred to by none other than the Sunday Times of London as, "the most perfect children's book ever written or illustrated". High praise that is not generally amiss.
Big Bear and Little Bear live in a somewhat hibernationless state of their own. One day they play all day in the sunlight and at night return to their comfy cave. After tucking Little Bear into bed, Big Bear tells the young 'un to go to sleep, retiring to his own claw footed (and armed) comfy chair to catch up on some reading. Unfortunately, Little Bear cannot fall asleep. He points out that there is a lot of dark around them and that it frightens him. Big Bear accommodates the small fry by providing a little nightlight lantern for the nightstand. But Little Bear is still afraid. With well hidden reluctance, Big Bear puts down his very interesting story and gets Little Bear a bigger light. When that (again) doesn't work he brings in something that the book calls, "the Biggest Lantern of Them All". But STILL Little Bear is afraid. After all, there's no denying that outside the cave the dark is all around. Taking Little Bear out into the nighttime, Big Bear offers the only comfort he can. He presents to Little Bear the moon and all the stars in the sky. Finally convinced that he is safe from the dark, Little Bear falls into a sound slumber and the two bears cuddle up in front of the roaring fire where Big Bear can finally finish his book.
The text has the nice repetitive structure and comforting protagonists that kids will be readily drawn to. Little Bear is never obnoxious in his fears, instead acting very much the toddler as he hops about his bed, unable to find rest. Likewise, there's a comfort to Big Bear's patient nature. Every time he puts down his book we are told how many pages are left until "the interesting part" (a number that corresponds perfectly to the moment when Big and Little Bear step outside their cave into the dark night). He remains a calm sturdy presence, offering comfort and love to the little one. Waddell's text is matched superbly with Barbara Firth's illustrations too. The first picture in the entire book is a view, from a distance, of the two bears standing in thick white snow, a little ways from their cave. The light in this scene suggests that it just might be late afternoon in a winter month, a beautiful thing to suggest. Once inside the cave, each picture is filled with tiny delightful details. There's a trophy of a bear shot putting with the words, "Ursa Major" underneath. There's an open jar of honey and a photograph of the two bears wearing identical striped shirts. In Little Bear's room the light from the Biggest Lantern of Them All reveals marionettes and handmade pictures. The interactions between the characters are especially touching. When Big Bear leads the little one up the cave's steps in the night, he holds Little Bear's paws as the small creature works at the stairs one at a time. From the shot of Little Bear snuggled against the big one's shoulder to his fearful pointing towards a darkened corner of the cave, this book rightly earns itself the moniker of "charming".
Lots of picture books deal with fears. From the odd, "Go Away, Big Green Monster" to the delightful, "There's a Nightmare in My Closet" these books serve to empower kids to some degree. They give little ones the power to face their fears and deal with them as they see fit. "Can't You Sleep, Little Bear", recognizes the importance of giving toddler's fears a voice, but it also understands the necessity of strong adults in a child's life. Because the exact nature of the relationship between the two bears is unclear (are they father and son, brothers, or just friends?) this book serves to speak to a variety of different family situations. On top of that, it's sweet as honey on the vine. Cuddle up to it immediately.
Rating:
Summary: Short term hibernation
Review: Here's a doozy of a question for you. How is it that British picture books have cornered the market on the old scared-of-the-dark theme? I am referring, of course, to not only "The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark" but also the delightful, "Can' You Sleep, Little Bear?" Both British, these books have won wild applause and great heaping helpfuls of praise from professional and (ahem) amateur reviewers alike. In the case of the Waddell and Firth book, "Can't You Sleep, Little Bear" was once referred to by none other than the Sunday Times of London as, "the most perfect children's book ever written or illustrated". High praise that is not generally amiss.
Big Bear and Little Bear live in a somewhat hibernationless state of their own. One day they play all day in the sunlight and at night return to their comfy cave. After tucking Little Bear into bed, Big Bear tells the young 'un to go to sleep, retiring to his own claw footed (and armed) comfy chair to catch up on some reading. Unfortunately, Little Bear cannot fall asleep. He points out that there is a lot of dark around them and that it frightens him. Big Bear accommodates the small fry by providing a little nightlight lantern for the nightstand. But Little Bear is still afraid. With well hidden reluctance, Big Bear puts down his very interesting story and gets Little Bear a bigger light. When that (again) doesn't work he brings in something that the book calls, "the Biggest Lantern of Them All". But STILL Little Bear is afraid. After all, there's no denying that outside the cave the dark is all around. Taking Little Bear out into the nighttime, Big Bear offers the only comfort he can. He presents to Little Bear the moon and all the stars in the sky. Finally convinced that he is safe from the dark, Little Bear falls into a sound slumber and the two bears cuddle up in front of the roaring fire where Big Bear can finally finish his book.
The text has the nice repetitive structure and comforting protagonists that kids will be readily drawn to. Little Bear is never obnoxious in his fears, instead acting very much the toddler as he hops about his bed, unable to find rest. Likewise, there?s a comfort to Big Bear's patient nature. Every time he puts down his book we are told how many pages are left until "the interesting part" (a number that corresponds to the moment when Big and Little Bear step outside their cave into the dark night). He remains a calm sturdy presence, offering comfort and love to the little one. Waddell's text is matched superbly with Barbara Firth?s illustrations too. The first picture in the entire book is a view, from a distance, of the two bears standing in thick white snow, a little ways from their cave. The light in this scene suggests that it just might be late afternoon in a winter month, a beautiful thing to suggest. Once inside the cave, each picture is filled with tiny delightful details. There's a trophy of a bear shot putting with the words, "Ursa Major" underneath. There's an open jar of honey and a photograph of the two bears wearing identical striped shirts. In Little Bear's room the light from the Biggest Lantern of Them All reveals marionettes and handmade pictures. The interactions between the characters are especially touching. When Big Bear leads the little one up the cave's steps in the night, he holds Little Bear's paws as the small creature works at the stairs one at a time. From the shot of Little Bear snuggled against the big one's shoulder to his fearful pointing towards a darkened corner of the cave, this book rightly earns itself the moniker of "charming".
Lots of picture books deal with fears. From the odd, "Go Away, Big Green Monster" to the delightful, "There's a Nightmare in My Closet" these books serve to empower kids to some degree. They give little ones the power to face their fears and deal with them as they see fit. "Can't You Sleep, Little Bear", recognizes the importance of giving toddlers' fears a voice, but it also understands the necessity of strong adults in a child's life. Because the exact nature of the relationship between the two bears is unclear (are they father and son, brothers, or just friends?) this book serves to speak to a variety of different family situations. On top of that, it's sweet as honey on the vine. Cuddle up to it immediately.
Rating:
Summary: Another Gem from Martin Waddell
Review: I have received many children, young and old, that have expressed a fear of the dark. This book has provided gentle reassurance to many a child that has stayed with our family over the years. Not only is the story easy for the children to grasp, but the illustrations are visually relaxing as well. Our copy of the book has become a "Velveteen Rabbit." A few pages have become dog-eared and the dust cover is scratched and torn, but it is one of the most loved books in our children's library. After sharing this book with a new arrival, rather than fearing the turning off the bedroom light, they look forward to turning on the dark instead. Waddell and Firth's efforts are a winning combination!
Rating:
Summary: After all these years....
Review: It was 9 years ago I bought this book for my son. I read it to him every night for months. He enjoyed the pictures and the repetitiveness of the story. To this day I think I can still repeat the book word-for-word.
The story is simple: a child who comes up with an excuse not to go to bed. Any parent of a preschooler knows this routine very well and I was happy to point out that to my son as we read it. I find the ending very comforting to both parent and child.
Now he's 11 and I'm looking to get a couple of copies of this and the other Little Bear books. One copy so that he will have them to read to his children and another copy to leave at Grandma's.
Rating:
Summary: After all these years....
Review: It was 9 years ago I bought this book for my son. I read it to him every night for months. He enjoyed the pictures and the repetitiveness of the story. To this day I think I can still repeat the book word-for-word.
The story is simple: a child who comes up with an excuse not to go to bed. Any parent of a preschooler knows this routine very well and I was happy to point out that to my son as we read it. I find the ending very comforting to both parent and child.
Now he's 11 and I'm looking to get a couple of copies of this and the other Little Bear books. One copy so that he will have them to read to his children and another copy to leave at Grandma's.
Rating:
Summary: Fun bedtime book
Review: My daughter laughs at Little Bear as he tries all the different sleeping positions. The illustrations are colorful and interesting. As in all of Martin Waddell's books, the text is not too long, nor too short. It is a perfect feel good bedtime book.
Rating:
Summary: Can't You Sleep, Little Bear
Review: No matter how many books are on the shelf, our 2 year old always goes to this book. She wants to see the page where the Big Bear takes Little Bear outside. She says "want to see the dark Gramma". She likes to pat the Little Bear and likes how he plays on the bed. I will be getting her the others in this series for Christmas. I'll have a hard time not giving them to her now!
Rating:
Summary: The dark all around us
Review: Of all the Little Bear/Big Bear books I've read, this is my favourite. The author and illustrator have created the perfect reflection of bedtime... everything is warm and cozy and loving. The actions of Big Bear and Little Bear are typical of parent and child at bedtime. The illustrations are wonderfully done, with the 'outside' illustrations being wide and open and the 'inside' illustrations being enclosed by an arched border... adding to the feeling of safety and security of the Bear Cave. Little Bear's antics in the background and the pillows on the floor are all too familiar. Delightful! At two years of age, my son is still parented to sleep and thus, he has no fear of the dark. So, when we read it to him, we mainly look at the pictures and talk about Little Bear and Big Bear and going to bed. However, as he grows and is ready to go to sleep on his own at night, I'm glad we'll have this story to share with him... it provides a wonderful starting point for talking about the dark and demonstrating loving parental support for real(or imagined) fears.
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