Winter Sleep: A Hibernation Story
What’s inside...
In this cozy bedtime story, follow a child and his grandma through a winter landscape to explore how the Earth goes to sleep for winter. Spot the sleeping animals as the tale unfolds, then learn about their hibernation habits from the information pages at the end. Co-authors Sean Taylor (picture book author) and Alex Morss (ecologist, journalist, and educator) offer a gentle introduction to the concept of hibernation. In the frosty, quiet forest, the snow blankets the ground and the trees have shed their leaves. Where have all the animals gone? Are they asleep too? In each cutaway scene, see what the child cannot—that underground below his feet are dens with sleeping creatures, and within the hollow trunks of trees, animals are nesting. After the story, annotated illustrations explain the hibernation facts for each animal and what they will do when they wake up for spring. Cozy up as you expand your and your child's knowledge of the natural world.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think animals dream about during their long winter sleep?
How do you think the forest changes when all the animals are hibernating?
Why is it important for some animals to hibernate during the winter?
How do you feel when you see the animals wake up after a long winter?
Can you imagine what it would be like to sleep through the whole winter? What would you miss the most?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the story to their own experiences by asking about times they have felt sleepy or have taken a nap.
Discuss the concept of hibernation and why it is vital for survival in the wild, aiming to connect it to the broader themes of adaptation and change.
Use descriptive imagery from the book to help your child visualize the quiet, snow-covered forest and the cozy dens where animals sleep.
After reading, consider exploring more about animals that hibernate through child-friendly documentaries or visiting a nature center, to reinforce the learning.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding nature's cycles
Explanation: Through the journey of a child exploring how different animals hibernate, 'Winter Sleep: A Hibernation Story' educates about the cycles of nature and seasons.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this knowledge by observing seasonal changes and understanding animal behavior, fostering a sense of curiosity and respect for the environment.
Example Lesson: Importance of preparation
Explanation: The book shows how animals prepare for winter, teaching the value of being prepared and planning ahead.
Real-World Application: This can be translated to a child’s everyday life by encouraging them to plan their activities, manage their time for school projects, or prepare their outfits and supplies the night before school.
Example Lesson: Empathy and caring
Explanation: By seeing how different animals cope with cold, children learn empathy towards creatures and the challenges they face during winter.
Real-World Application: This understanding can help children develop compassion towards animals and people who are in difficult situations, teaching them to be considerate and kind.
Example Lesson: Patience and perseverance
Explanation: The book illustrates the long winter sleep of animals, which can teach children the virtues of patience and endurance through tough times.
Real-World Application: This lesson is applicable in teaching children to be patient while waiting for outcomes and to persevere through their own challenges, such as learning a new skill or waiting for a special event.