Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? [Paperback]

 

 

Create your own 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.

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.

This book "Can't You Sleep Little Bear?" is not a book that I would suggest to anybody. The story doesn't make that much sense. It talks about how big bear keeps bringing brighter lanterns in, but little bear is still playing games in teh background. The plot isn't that great, and doesn't make that much sense. Then to make things a lot more difficult, they go outside and look at the moon. Why would somebody do that when they are looking for a brighter light source. A large lantern is much brighter then a full moon. I guess he just must of wanted to show little bear the moon, since little bear hadn't seen it before. I have read better books before, but I guess, I have also read some that were worse.

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 13 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

 

5.0 out of 5 stars An Essential Bedtime Storybook
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... Read more

Published on Dec 20 2001 by Towner

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun bedtime book
My daughter laughs at Little Bear as he tries all the different sleeping positions. The illustrations are colorful and interesting. Read more

Published on May 30 2001 by M. Kehn

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reading for newborns to toddlers and beyond!
My daughter loved this book from the first day I read it when she was 1 1/2 years old. She can never get enough of it! Read more

Published on April 30 2001 by Wendy Sybert

1.0 out of 5 stars Not a fan
My 3 year old NEVER had any problems sleeping until we read this book. Now she's suddenly "scared of the dark like little bear". Don't buy this book.

Published on April 18 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars A Caring Tale
This book is one of my children's favourites. The illustrations are beautiful and adorable and the writing is exellent in helping children read because it repeats familiar... Read more

Published on Jan 6 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't you sleep little bear?
My four year old son Joseph has had this book for two years now. We borrowed it from the library but he wouldn't part with it so we bought him his own copy. Read more

Published on May 11 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars A Marvellous Bedtime Story
I regularly read this sweet book to my three year old son at bedtime. The gentle text and beautiful illustrations hold both of us in their grasp from beginning to end. Read more

Published on Nov 6 1998

4.0 out of 5 stars Charmy and inspirational in its warmth and simplicity
When I think of this book I chuckle. Barbara Firth's warm and enchanting illustrations help to deliver the message of caring and concern by the parent figure (Big Bear) and the... Read more

Published on Mar 29 1998

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Just For Children
Despite the fact that I am 17 years old, I still enjoy reading this wonderful story every night to my two younger sisters. Read more

Published on Feb 4 1998

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great book!
We read this book over and over to our two year old. He lovesthe pictures and thinks of nite time when dusk comes around. Read more

Published on Oct 22 1996

Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

› See all 13 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

Search Listmania!