Don't Wake Up the Bear!
What’s inside...
It's a cold, snowy night, and a big, soft bear sleeps soundly in his cave. A small hare, seeking warmth, snuggles up in the bear's cozy den. As the night progresses, more animals including a fox and a mouse join the hare, all careful not to wake the sleeping bear. However, a sneeze from the mouse eventually startles the bear awake. The story is accompanied by warm, playful illustrations and has a repeating refrain, making it an ideal bedtime read for all seasons.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-4
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the animals were afraid to wake up the bear?
What would you do if you found a sleeping bear?
How did the story make you feel when the animals were trying to be quiet?
What do you think is the message of this story?
If you were to add another animal to the story, which one would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by asking your child how they feel about bears and sleep, linking it to the animal's behavior in the story.
Encourage empathy by discussing the feelings of the bear and the other animals.
Enhance understanding by relating the story to a time your child might have needed quiet while sleeping or resting.
Use expressive voices for different characters to make the reading more dynamic and entertaining.
Ask your child to imagine different endings or additional scenarios to foster creativity and problem-solving.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of cooperation
Explanation: In the story, various animals work together to ensure they don’t wake up the sleeping bear, highlighting the value of cooperation.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to work together with their peers in school projects or in team sports, understanding that collective effort can achieve goals smoothly and effectively.
Example Lesson: Respect for others' needs
Explanation: The animals tiptoe around and make efforts to remain quiet, showing respect for the bear’s need to hibernate.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to be considerate and mindful of other people’s needs and comfort, such as being quiet when someone is sleeping or giving space when someone needs privacy.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: When faced with the challenge of not waking the bear, the animals creatively find ways to coexist in the same space without causing disturbance.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to think critically and solve problems peacefully when they encounter conflicts or challenges, either at home or in school.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: The story subtly conveys that the animals’ actions of being quiet and careful around the bear have positive outcomes, as they avoid the negative consequence of waking him up.
Real-World Application: Children can understand that their actions have consequences, teaching them to consider the outcomes before acting.