Bear Can't Sleep
Bear Series
What’s inside...
In 'Bear Can't Sleep', Bear struggles to fall asleep during winter despite his friends' efforts to help. As they try different methods like singing lullabies and drinking tea, Bear discovers the warmth of friendship and the joy of spending time together, which brings unexpected happiness during his sleepless nights.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-6
Length
34 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Bear
Wren
Raven
Mole
Gopher
Badger
The Hare
Mouse
Discussion points
Why do you think Bear can't sleep, and how does it make him feel?
What do Bear’s friends do to try to help him sleep? How would you help a friend in a similar situation?
How does the story change when Bear finally falls asleep? What does this tell us about the importance of sleep?
What are some things that Bear enjoys doing with his friends?
How do you think the story would be different if Bear didn’t have his friends around?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about and discuss their own bedtime routines and how they feel when they can't sleep. Relate these to Bear's experiences in the story.
Ask your child to imagine and describe another adventure for Bear and his friends, focusing on the themes of friendship and helping one another.
Before turning to each page, prompt your child to guess what Bear’s friends will do next to try and help him sleep. This not only keeps them engaged but also enhances their predictive reasoning skills.
After reading the book, have your child draw a picture of their favorite part of the story. Discuss why they chose that particular scene and what it means to them.
Use the book as an opportunity to discuss the importance of sleep and how it helps us, drawing parallels with Bear’s situation to make it relatable.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Caring
Explanation: In 'Bear Can't Sleep', the story highlights the other animals' efforts to help Bear fall asleep, showing concern and care for his well-being.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of being empathetic and helping others in need, mirroring how the characters in the book care for Bear.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving
Explanation: The animals in the book try different methods to help Bear sleep, showcasing their problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of perseverance and thinking creatively to solve problems they encounter.
Example Lesson: Sharing and Friendship
Explanation: Throughout the book, the theme of friendship is evident as the animals share their time and efforts to assist Bear.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to build strong relationships and share joyous and challenging moments with their friends.
Example Lesson: Seasonal Changes
Explanation: The book sets a backdrop of winter approaching, which is a critical reason behind Bear’s inability to sleep.
Real-World Application: This introduces children to the concept of seasons and their impact on the behavior of animals and nature.
Example Lesson: Importance of Sleep
Explanation: Bear’s struggle with not being able to sleep emphasizes the importance of rest.
Real-World Application: Children can understand the significance of having a good sleep schedule for health and well-being.