Bear Snores On

Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman

This was one of my children’s favorite books when they were toddlers.  It has a little of everything they loved:  animals, suspense, friendship, and text that flows along with rhymes.

“In a cave in the woods, in his deep, dark lair, through the long, cold winter, sleeps a great brown bear.”

So begins this fun picture book.  The bear is doing his hibernation thing in his cozy cave while it snows outside.  There is a loud storm going on, but the bear snores on peacefully in his cave.

A small mouse creeps in to take shelter from the night storm.  He lights a small fire for warmth and light.  Soon, a hare hops in and joins the mouse.  They pop corn and make tea.  The bear snores on.  A badger, a gopher, a mole, a wren, and a raven join the gathering in the cave, which becomes a party.  The bear snores on, until…… a fleck of pepper (they were making stew) makes the bear sneeze.

The bear wakes up.  He is angry and roars and stomps, and growls and grumbles.  The bear is upset that the animals snuck in his cave, and had a party without him.  The mouse offers to have the bear join in the party – they can make more food.

The animals gather around bear and the fire, and listen while bear tells them stories through the night.  The book ends with the bear sitting up, awake, while the other animals sleep – in his arms, and next to him.

Chapman’s warm illustrations bring this story to life.  Young listeners will appreciate the build up to something waking the bear.  And, some might happily supply the biggest Ahhhhhh-choo they can manage when the bear sneezes.  A wonderful picture book.