THIS IS NOT A SLEEPY BEAR BOOK

Every time Bear tries to settle in for some cozy hibernation, he finds his den full of joyful chaos.

In a charming woodland, an owl narrator promises a “gentle, quiet story” as Bear heads home for his winter nap. But when Bear opens the door to his den, he discovers a wild concert underway. Backing up to the opening scene, the owl and Bear try again…only to walk into a laser show dance party. The pattern continues, with the den getting louder and more crowded each time. The two finally enter a dark, silent den, but it’s only the moment of calm before a musical, disco-dancing, laser show pre-hibernation surprise party for Bear. The frustrated owl learns to enjoy itself even when its plans don’t pan out, and our narrator parties until Bear tucks the sleepy bird into bed. Harney’s art expertly contrasts the low-key story the owl wants to tell with the reality of the mayhem inside Bear’s den. When Bear and the owl are outside, the descriptive, flowing text is complemented by subtle details and natural colors. Inside, the animals’ shenanigans are amplified through percussive language, bold colors on simplified backgrounds, and a sans-serif font. The pacing is pitch-perfect, with ratcheting tension and increasing speed punctuated by moments of pause and reversal. The zany humor of the story resolves with almost surprising tenderness and lessons about friendship and flexibility.

A standout read-aloud that definitely will not put readers to sleep.