Parents' Guide to

Can't You Sleep, Little Bear?

Book Martin Waddell Picture Book 1988
Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

By Mary Dixon Weidler , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 2+

As reassuring as a goodnight hug.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 2+?

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Parent and Kid Reviews

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age 2+

Based on 2 parent reviews

umadnan
umadnan Parent of 1-year-old
April 18, 2009
age 2+

arudek805
arudek805 Parent of 2 and 5-year-old
February 27, 2009
age 2+

Reassuring bedtime story

This can be a very reassuring story for kids who might be scared of the dark. As the parent reading the book to the kids, it can be a little redundant each time the 2 bears go through the questions and answers.
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Why is bedtime so frightening? \"I don't like the dark!\" Little Bear tells Big Bear, who goes to great extents to comfort his charge. Finally, Big Bear makes Little Bear face the dark head on, and this duo finds that there's nothing to fear--as long as they have each other.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (2 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

As reassuring as a goodnight hug, this sweet tale of a little one's fear of the dark will ring familiar to young listeners and to their parents. Big Bear epitomizes parental devotion, as he goes to any extent to comfort his little charge. This is a good bedtime book, lulling in its repetition, and the children love saying Little Bear's repeated "I'm afraid!" each time the reader asks the title question.

The pencil and watercolor illustrations, surrounded by an arch-shaped border, echo the shape of the bears' cave. They are soft in tone and capture the bears' expressions. "That's just what I do!" one 4-year-old girl said as she studied the illustrations of Little Bear attempting to fall asleep. When the story was over, she turned to her mother and asked, "Will you read this to me before bed?"

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about bedtime fears. Kids: Are you afraid of the dark? What do you find comforting at night?

Book Details

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