Christmas Eve has come to the north woods, and thick snow covers everything, making it sparkle in the moonlight. Bear Noel has his heavy pack over his shoulder as he makes his way through the snow, bringing gifts to all the animals in the woods.
The wolf and the hare peep out of their dens, each of them eagerly awaiting Bear Noel’s arrival. “He is coming!” they both say, their ears perking at the sound of paws in the snow. The fox and the boar join them in their wait. Now they can hear the jingle of bells and merry laughter, and Hedgehog creeps out as well.
Possum comes out to ask what they are all doing. “Bear Noel is coming!” they say, and together they listen to the laughter and the bells, ringing out across the frozen ground. Owl swoops down to wait with them just as Bear Noel enters the clearing. He is a huge white bear, and he carries a string of jingle bells with him as he walks. He sees the animals waiting for him and he laughs, a happy sound.
He puts his pack down next to a small fir tree, and out of his pack he pulls nuts and berries, placing them on the tree. The animals all gather ‘round to celebrate, putting their natural animosity behind them for one night. They eat the goodies right off the tree, each getting their favorite, and there is enough for all.
Bear Noel steps back and observes the scene, noticing how much joy he has brought to the animals of the woods. Then he puts his pack over his shoulder again and tramps off into the woods, his heavy paws crunching against the snow, his bells ringing into the quiet night.
(This book was published in 2000 by Douglas and McIntyre and was illustrated by the author.)
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