WINTER LULLABY

As winter approaches, a little bear tries to avoid hibernation.

With cool winds blowing, skies graying, and geese honking farewell, Mama tells Small Bear, “It’s time for bed.” Watching Mouse scurry by, Small Bear asks, “If she’s not sleeping, why must I?” Even Chipmunk’s awake gathering nuts. Mama explains that Mouse is rushing to rest in her grass nest and Chipmunk’s storing nuts before going to sleep. When Small Bear sees Skunk and Hare awake and romping together, Mama adds that soon Skunk will slumber underground and Hare will weather winter in a hollow log. Spying Badger and Old Racoon, Small Bear argues again to stay awake. Mama tells Small Bear that Badger and Racoon will also sleep soon. But Small Bear just doesn’t want to hide inside all winter. Mama finally convinces Small Bear that bears need to sleep in winter so they can awaken to spring. Composed in rhyming couplets, the spare text evokes autumn’s final days, preparations for winter hibernation, Small Bear’s reluctance to accept hibernation, and Mama’s patient responses. Simple, quiet illustrations executed in a soft, elegant, swirling style trace the transition from tawny autumn’s bareness to early winter’s silvery wonderland. Scenes of Mouse, Chipmunk, Skunk, Hare, Badger, Racoon, and, eventually, Small Bear and Mama snuggling safely inside their respective cozy winter dens should provoke useful parallels and opportunities for parents to cajole their little ones to sleep.

Reassuring, inviting bedtime fare.