Bedtime is a universal challenge. No wonder, then, that so many children’s books have been devoted to the very mysterious topic – how do we get the children to go to bed? “Sleepy Bears” by Mem Fox is another cute story book to add to your arsenal.
Mother Bear has six adorable little cubs, and winter is coming. She needs to get them all gathered in to go to bed. She promises that if they’ll come inside and get ready for bed, without arguing, she’ll tell each of them a rhyme just for them.
Baxter Bear was first. With a big yawn, he waits to hear his rhyme, and he’s not disappointed when his mother recites a poem about a pirate bear and buried treasure. Soon Baxter is fast asleep.
Then comes Bella Bear. Her poem is all about being the star of a circus act, performing for a cheering crowd.
Now Winifred can hardly keep her eyes open. It must be her turn for a poem about being a brave tiger hunter in the jungle, fearless and daring.
Tosca falls asleep to the sound of a poem about being a princess in a fairy tale land, riding on a horse and wearing a beautiful gown. Ali drifted off to the alluring sound of snacks, sweets and desserts – all he can eat!
Mother Bear knows all her children very well, and she knows herself, too. Snuggling down with Baby Bear, the tiniest of the lot, she whispers a poem of love and protection, and then Mother and Baby both fall fast asleep, snuggled up with all the other bears for their long winter’s nap.
The illustrations in this book are precious. The expressions on the faces of the bears, the snippets of their dreams we get to see – all are richly done and rendered with great talent by illustrator Kerry Argent.
(This book was published in 1999 by Harcourt Brace and Company.)
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