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Little Bear #1
Can't You Sleep, Little Bear?'
It's bedtime, and Little Bear can't get to sleep. He's frightened of the dark, the dark all around, which not even Big Bear's largest lantern can light up. Big Bear finds a way to show Little Bear that there is no need to be afraid.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1988
22 people are currently reading
1448 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 307 reviews
March 13, 2015
3 1/2 stars. Cute book where Big Bear tries to get Little Bear to sleep but Little Bear is scared of the dark so big Bear must find a solution. The art was nice but I felt the ending could have been executed better. Still, a sound read for bedtime.
Honestly I think I enjoyed this more than the kids with how Big Bear wants to get back to his book but he patiently puts Little Bear to bed each time. Something any parent can relate to.
Honestly I think I enjoyed this more than the kids with how Big Bear wants to get back to his book but he patiently puts Little Bear to bed each time. Something any parent can relate to.
September 20, 2011
4.5 STARS Awww, shucks. This is so darn cute! I really enjoyed this gentle tale (that is not without humor) about Little Bear who can't get to sleep because of his fear of the dark, and patient and resourceful Big Bear who helps him through his fears (even though Big Bear has a very exciting part of his book to read and keeps getting interrupted!) The illustrations are darling and I loved how, in the end, Big Bear wanted Little Bear to confront his fear of the dark, but did so in a very gentle and reassuring way helping him to always see the lights that appear in the darkness.
February 1, 2018
😊😊😊😊😊😊
September 27, 2017
Sweetest, littles bedtime story of the century. Used to love it when my mum read it to me. Still love it today.
March 26, 2020
Big Bear and Little Bear - "Big Bear is the big bear, and Little Bear is the little bear," the narrator informs us, in one of those dead-pan asides that I always find irresistibly hilarious - settle in for the night in this charming bedtime story about being afraid of the dark. Unable to get to sleep, Little Bear tosses and turns, and although Big Bear continually interrupts his reading (what a father!) to bring him progressively larger lanterns, nothing seems to help him overcome his fear of the dark that is "all around." Finally, Big Bear takes Little Bear outside, in order to give him the biggest lantern of all...
The second bedtime book from Northern Irish author Martin Waddell, after the equally delightful Owl Babies , that I have read, Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? is an immensely satisfying book, depicting both Little Bear's fears, and Big Bear's compassion and patience, with sympathy. The artwork by Barbara Firth is simply delightful, perfectly capturing the emotional register of each scene. The final episode, in which Little Bear has fallen asleep in Big Bear's arms, and Big Bear (finally!) gets to finish his book, was particularly adorable. Highly recommended to anyone looking for good quality bedtime stories! For my part, I think I may try to track down more of Big Bear and Little Bear's adventures...
The second bedtime book from Northern Irish author Martin Waddell, after the equally delightful Owl Babies , that I have read, Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? is an immensely satisfying book, depicting both Little Bear's fears, and Big Bear's compassion and patience, with sympathy. The artwork by Barbara Firth is simply delightful, perfectly capturing the emotional register of each scene. The final episode, in which Little Bear has fallen asleep in Big Bear's arms, and Big Bear (finally!) gets to finish his book, was particularly adorable. Highly recommended to anyone looking for good quality bedtime stories! For my part, I think I may try to track down more of Big Bear and Little Bear's adventures...
September 12, 2011
This is a story about a little bear that is afraid of the dark, yet overcomes this fear with the help of Big Bear, a portrayal similar to parent and child and hence easy to relate to the comfort sought and the comfort given.
"I don't like the dark," said Little Bear.
"What dark?" said Big Bear.
"The dark all around us," said Little Bear
This story depicts patience and kindness on the part of big bear, where he goes to great lengths to help little bear realise that the dark is nothing to be afraid of.
It is an excellent story to use expression when being told, making it an excellent book to engage the child whom it is being read to( eg. different voices for little bear and big bear, facial expressions protraying fear, reassurance etc). It is illustated in a very complimentary way, with beatiful pictures, again, great for engaging a child. It also, in my opinion, brings with it a sense of reassurance to young children as a fear of the dark is quite common at a young age. It's a great book as a story telling excercise at Early Years, yet is also great for those in the later stages of Key Stage One learning to read, with alot of word asnd phrase repetition for those less confident.
"I don't like the dark," said Little Bear.
"What dark?" said Big Bear.
"The dark all around us," said Little Bear
This story depicts patience and kindness on the part of big bear, where he goes to great lengths to help little bear realise that the dark is nothing to be afraid of.
It is an excellent story to use expression when being told, making it an excellent book to engage the child whom it is being read to( eg. different voices for little bear and big bear, facial expressions protraying fear, reassurance etc). It is illustated in a very complimentary way, with beatiful pictures, again, great for engaging a child. It also, in my opinion, brings with it a sense of reassurance to young children as a fear of the dark is quite common at a young age. It's a great book as a story telling excercise at Early Years, yet is also great for those in the later stages of Key Stage One learning to read, with alot of word asnd phrase repetition for those less confident.
February 10, 2017
Again a great book to explore different ideas and of course children's fears of the dark. Great illustrations as well. I remember very well myself that I could never sleep when I was a child, not because of the dark but I just could not fall asleep. My parents always came up with new ideas to help me fall asleep. It reminds me of big bear, being persistent, creative and patient with little bear are important attributes for parents. So maybe this picturebook does not just help children overcome their fear of the dark but help parents be patient with their children.
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November 8, 2018I used to read this book when I was younger with family members, it was a constant favourite. I also read this book with children when I worked in a pre-nursery and during SBT with the younger children. I found it a book that was good to relax the children and one to read them when they are not feeling very brave themselves. It showed the children that everyone has these feelings and if they try very hard they can overcome them and feel proud of themselves for doing so.
June 1, 2017
لطیف...
توی این مجموعه، به جز نقاشی های فوق العاده و پر جزئیاتش عاشق شخصیت خرس بزرگ هستم. از آن بزرگ ترهای مقتدر آرام که شاید از ظاهرشان معلوم نباشد چه قدر چه قدر مهربانند، ولی جوری باهات رفتار می کنند (شاید بدون ابراز محبت های معمول دیگران) که خاطرت از این که تو را بسیار دوست می دارند همیشه جمع است...
توی این مجموعه، به جز نقاشی های فوق العاده و پر جزئیاتش عاشق شخصیت خرس بزرگ هستم. از آن بزرگ ترهای مقتدر آرام که شاید از ظاهرشان معلوم نباشد چه قدر چه قدر مهربانند، ولی جوری باهات رفتار می کنند (شاید بدون ابراز محبت های معمول دیگران) که خاطرت از این که تو را بسیار دوست می دارند همیشه جمع است...
August 27, 2008
Oh I remember reading this to the girls! It was sweet! Since I've always called my husband, "Bear", my oldest daughter was Little Bear before she was born. Her nursery was in teddy bears. Can I tell she still sleeps with her bear?!
February 14, 2020
This is a children’s picture book about a big bear and a little bear. The little bear can’t fall asleep because he is afraid of the dark, and always seems to find some small area of darkness regardless of how many lanterns big bear brings for him.
October 27, 2007
So cute, and so true. I love how little bear tries and tries to go to sleep, by doing somersaults and hanging half off his bed. Perfect for a bedtime book!
October 15, 2019
Sweet book with a lovely story. Great to encourage children to predict the outcome of a story. Will always put a smile on your face!
April 6, 2020
It's great he got to sleep in the end. He deserved that. On the other hand after I read this book I was wide awake contemplating about what happened to the little bears mom.
October 31, 2018
A lovely story about a big bear and a little bear. The big bear teaches the little bear not to be scared of the dark and takes him out to look at the moon and the stars.
June 24, 2022
5 sterren - Nederlandse hardcover
Het favoriete beertje van de kleinkinderen.
Kon ik blijven voorlezen dus nu naar hun collectie gegaan. Kan mama voorlezen!
Het favoriete beertje van de kleinkinderen.
Kon ik blijven voorlezen dus nu naar hun collectie gegaan. Kan mama voorlezen!
April 1, 2023
Mooi kinderboek voor het slapengaan
November 14, 2012
I have come across this book whilst on my first placement in a Special School. My severe learning difficulties nursery class are reading the book as part of their literacy lessons which they absolutely love. However as they are so young and don’t yet have the cognitive ability to have this book read to them fully as a class they have the story read to them as a sensory story – which I have found fascinating.
The plot of the story is about a two bears, a big bear and a little bear that live in a bear cave. It’s all about the little bear not being able to sleep as he is scared ‘of the dark all around them’ and the big bear trying different ways to light up his room to reassure little bear that there is no need to be afraid of the dark, which only works when he finds the perfect way to comfort his fears, outside, in front of the moon which is the biggest light of them all.
It’s such a lovely story and the way that my children understand it is to actual experience the key features of the book for themselves. For example we have two toy bears that we introduce to them at the beginning of the story who they get to cuddle and get a sense of their two sizes (bigger for big bear etc…), we then give them each a small teddy bear who they cuddle up in a blanket. We then introduce the idea that it’s night time so we turn off the classroom lights, give them hot chocolate to taste and lastly put a black dark sheet across their eyes so that they really understand that it’s bedtime for the bears. To experience the idea of the different types of light used for the little bear to try and get to sleep we give the children different sized lanterns and a flickering candle to look at. All the while each time something is introduced asking if there bear is asleep yet which they love! Finally we all settle down and snuggle our bears until they fall asleep.
After reading the story this way it has really highlighted that sensory stories are a real innovative way of allowing children who are at the very early stages of reading to explore literacy and it’s an approach that I will definitely use again especially if working in an early years setting as well as in a special needs school.
The plot of the story is about a two bears, a big bear and a little bear that live in a bear cave. It’s all about the little bear not being able to sleep as he is scared ‘of the dark all around them’ and the big bear trying different ways to light up his room to reassure little bear that there is no need to be afraid of the dark, which only works when he finds the perfect way to comfort his fears, outside, in front of the moon which is the biggest light of them all.
It’s such a lovely story and the way that my children understand it is to actual experience the key features of the book for themselves. For example we have two toy bears that we introduce to them at the beginning of the story who they get to cuddle and get a sense of their two sizes (bigger for big bear etc…), we then give them each a small teddy bear who they cuddle up in a blanket. We then introduce the idea that it’s night time so we turn off the classroom lights, give them hot chocolate to taste and lastly put a black dark sheet across their eyes so that they really understand that it’s bedtime for the bears. To experience the idea of the different types of light used for the little bear to try and get to sleep we give the children different sized lanterns and a flickering candle to look at. All the while each time something is introduced asking if there bear is asleep yet which they love! Finally we all settle down and snuggle our bears until they fall asleep.
After reading the story this way it has really highlighted that sensory stories are a real innovative way of allowing children who are at the very early stages of reading to explore literacy and it’s an approach that I will definitely use again especially if working in an early years setting as well as in a special needs school.
December 1, 2012
This book is about Little Bear who cannot fall asleep because he's afraid of the dark. Little Bear tosses and turns as he tries to sleep but to no avail. Big Bear sees Little Bear in distress so he stops reading his book and gives Little Bear a small lantern to sleep with, however, it seems this isn't enough for Little Bear. Little Bear still tosses and turns so Big Bear has to stop reading his book again to get him some more light. But again, Little Bear cannot sleep because there is too much dark inside as well as outside! Big Bear doesn't know what to do, there is dark everywhere, how is Big Bear supposed to light up all the dark at night-time?
This is the what the reader will question while reading this story. What else can Big Bear do to help Little Bear? What if Little Bear never falls asleep at night-time? The reader becomes curious as to where the story is going which at the same time makes it an intriguing read. The story also has humour as Little Bear seems to be driving Big Bear crazy!
Children between the ages of 4-7 years will really enjoy listening to this story as a class. It will make them laugh as well as allowing them to do choral reading as Little Bear constantly repeats the same phrase every time he complains about the dark! The children will easily be able to understand the plot of the story and will look forward to finding out Big Bear's solution to curing the darkness so that Little Bear can finally go to sleep in one peace!
This is the what the reader will question while reading this story. What else can Big Bear do to help Little Bear? What if Little Bear never falls asleep at night-time? The reader becomes curious as to where the story is going which at the same time makes it an intriguing read. The story also has humour as Little Bear seems to be driving Big Bear crazy!
Children between the ages of 4-7 years will really enjoy listening to this story as a class. It will make them laugh as well as allowing them to do choral reading as Little Bear constantly repeats the same phrase every time he complains about the dark! The children will easily be able to understand the plot of the story and will look forward to finding out Big Bear's solution to curing the darkness so that Little Bear can finally go to sleep in one peace!
June 15, 2019
I absolutely love this book! It has such emotional importance to me as my third daughter had breathing difficulties when she was born and spent the first 5 weeks of her life in NICU. My eldest daughter chose this book from home to take to hospital and read to her. It ended up being the only book we read during those long and heartbreaking 5 weeks. My daughter suffered severe brain damage during her birth and as such we are unsure about her future ie. we are somewhat ‘in the dark’ and very scared. It was relatable to us on so many levels; a little baby bear being afraid of the dark/the unknown and the big bear trying to help by shedding some light on the situation. The bit about them going out of the cave into the big dark unknown and the little bear being scared resonated with us as we were terrified about taking our baby out into the unknown. Amazing. Can’t read it now without bawling my eyes out. However, even if you havent had a horrendous and dramatic birth experience it’s still a very sweet and funny book and I highly recommend it as a bedtime story.
Lynne x x
Lynne x x
September 21, 2018
This book is lovely! The words may seem repetitive, but it's just the perfect rhythm to draw a little one into a sweet slumber.
This kid's book is so sweet because it deals with a fear most (if not all) of us have known before: the fear of the dark. Big Bear learns that it's better to deal with a problem head on rather than ignore it by coming up with tiny or large remedies that will not last. Little bear learns that the dark really isn't that frightening after all. Light is all around when you look and find it.
This isn't a Christian book, but I couldn't help being reminded: Jesus is the light! He never leaves us....even when it's dark.
John 8:12 - Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Jesus loves you!
For Jesus first loved me.... <3
~M.K.
www.forJesusfirstlovedme.wordpress.com
†
This kid's book is so sweet because it deals with a fear most (if not all) of us have known before: the fear of the dark. Big Bear learns that it's better to deal with a problem head on rather than ignore it by coming up with tiny or large remedies that will not last. Little bear learns that the dark really isn't that frightening after all. Light is all around when you look and find it.
This isn't a Christian book, but I couldn't help being reminded: Jesus is the light! He never leaves us....even when it's dark.
John 8:12 - Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Jesus loves you!
For Jesus first loved me.... <3
~M.K.
www.forJesusfirstlovedme.wordpress.com
†
March 17, 2020
I love this book, I remember my parents reading it to me! It’s a very simple story about a bear who is frightened of the dark.
The pages at the beginning are lightly coloured like a lamp to symbolise the safety of the bear’s home, I would discuss this with children and why the pages get darker as the bears go outside. They are also shaped like windows so that the reader is almost looking into this new world where the bears live.
It’s a repetitive story so it would be ideal to read out to very young children and encourage them to join in with you. We could have a conversation about our fears and why the dark can sometimes seems scary to us.
The book also contains a lot of inverted commas so it could be used as an example for teaching those in grammar.
The pages at the beginning are lightly coloured like a lamp to symbolise the safety of the bear’s home, I would discuss this with children and why the pages get darker as the bears go outside. They are also shaped like windows so that the reader is almost looking into this new world where the bears live.
It’s a repetitive story so it would be ideal to read out to very young children and encourage them to join in with you. We could have a conversation about our fears and why the dark can sometimes seems scary to us.
The book also contains a lot of inverted commas so it could be used as an example for teaching those in grammar.
May 10, 2014
Looking for more dad books, as I believe this will be the first Father's Day theme I've done in storytime. I may have done one a few years ago, but nothing comes to mind. This story is adorable, especially the pictures. A little repetitive, but kids like that. I'm worried about the amount of text on some pages. I will have this on display for sure; if I can't find other things to use, then I will opt to read this one.
September 25, 2013
Why does this book have such high ratings? The illustrations are cute, but otherwise, way too repetitive to not be boring, both my 5 yr old and preschoolers had a hard time staying engaged in this story. A cute idea, but falls short, since it's way too wordy for the younger crowd, even though the concept is geared toward them.
July 3, 2009
This is a sweet story, and one that I can relate with. On countless nights, I have just settled down with a book when I hear, "Mama! I can't sleep!" or "Mama, I'm scared." This book does wonders for dispelling the fear of the dark as well as for encouraging the patience of parents everywhere.
June 8, 2011
Little Bear is scared of the dark, and Big Bear helps him go to sleep. This is nice, but it feels like tons of other Going to Sleep books we have read. Even ds said that we had read it before, even though we hadn't.
August 22, 2023
Same old sappy, but I do like that this is a father and child.
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Reread. I do like the premise of facing one's fears head-on. But why read this to a child? Why give them the idea that the dark is scary?
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Reread. I do like the premise of facing one's fears head-on. But why read this to a child? Why give them the idea that the dark is scary?
August 15, 2019
مجموعه ی خرس کوچولو و خرس بزرگ که این کتاب یکی از اونهاست برای بچه عای پیش دبستانی عالیه هم نویسنده ی خوبی داره هم مترجم قابل اعتماد.
من کتابهای رضی هیرمندی رو قبلا هم گفتم با خیال راحت برمیدارم و برای دخترم میخونم چون میدونم انتخابهاش سنجیده ست.
من کتابهای رضی هیرمندی رو قبلا هم گفتم با خیال راحت برمیدارم و برای دخترم میخونم چون میدونم انتخابهاش سنجیده ست.
October 14, 2018
Very cute. A good introduction to irony.
January 2, 2019
Children relate to being scared of the dark and not being able to sleep. Lots of speech and various punctuation.
Lots of writing on a page so it is probably better for an adult to read to a child.
Lots of writing on a page so it is probably better for an adult to read to a child.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 307 reviews