BEAR'S BIG DREAMING

A small bear getting ready for hibernation gathers other animals’ dreams so he won’t run out.

Little Bear has never been through the Sleep before, and he’s nervous about the unknown. He and Big Bear decide that the Sleep is a “Big Dreaming.” But Little Bear’s newest worry is that he will run out of dreams; “then there would be a Big Nothing.” So he sets off to look for some dreams, asking Squirrel, Rabbit, and Wolf if they have any spare dreams. “Squirrel, Squirrel, Squirrel,” he says. “We’re getting ready for the Big Dreaming, / we’re getting ready for the Sleep. / Do you have any spare dreams, / for when we sleep, deep, deep?” Each does, and it turns out to be a good thing, as their lessons prove vital in helping Little Bear find his way back to Big Bear once the snow starts falling. In palette, tone, and layout, Egnéus’ illustrations resemble the artwork from older Golden Books, with highlights of turquoise, orange, deep red, and greens. The animals are more realistic than not. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Be ready to share a dream with the little one who asks you to read this.