Are You Sure, Mother Bear?

Will everything I love still be there when I wake? Mother Bear’s absolute reassurance – and an unexpected outing – enables a little cub to sleep in a masterful bedtime story.

From author Amy Hest and artist Lauren Tobia comes a warm and touching story that is sure to comfort all little bears before bedtime. On the first night of winter, Little Miss Bear will not go to sleep. She simply refuses. “Winter is for sleeping,” Mother Bear tells her. “All bears sleep, all winter long.” But all winter long is much too long for Little Miss Bear. She is going to miss her stars and her moon, and she is going to miss rolling on her hills. Most of all, she is going to miss her Mother Bear. Can Mother Bear reassure her that they will all be there waiting for her when she wakes in the spring?

Review

Tobia employs cozy, soothing hues for her anthropomorphic bear characters, who are warm and safe in their mountain chalet against the more mysterious, dense backgrounds of the woods outside. This is the rare children’s book that is as reassuring as it is sweet.
–Kirkus Reviews
Warm and reassuring, the quiet text is well structured and reads aloud beautifully…As comforting as the cinnamon toast Little Miss enjoys, this handsome picture book just might soothe restless children at bedtime.
–Booklist

About the Author

Amy Hest is the author of many much-loved and bestselling picture books, including Kiss Good Night, illustrated by Anita Jeram, and Charley’s First Night and When Charley Met Granpa, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. About this book, she says, “I love snuggling up with someone special on those beautiful snowy nights … I love cocoa!” Amy Hest lives in New York City, USA. Find her online at amyhest.com.

Lauren Tobia is the illustrator of several books for children, including Baby’s Got the Blues, written by Carol Diggory Shields, Happy in Our Skin, written by Fran Manushkin, and the multiple award-winning Anna Hibiscuspicture books, written by Atinuke. About this book, she says, “It has been a joy to crunch through the snow with Little Miss Bear and her mother. I am a big fan of snowy walks, too!” Lauren lives in Bristol with her husband and their two Jack Russell terriers, Poppy and Tilly. Find her online at laurentobia.com and on Twitter as @laurentobia.