A Bedtime for Bear

A Bedtime for Bear

by Bonny Becker

illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton

Publisher:  Candlewick Press

Ages: 3-8

Review copy purchased for my classroom library

Poor Bear is slightly stuffy, likes routine,  and needs everything just so. His buddy Mouse is politely, joyously chaotic. When Mouse arrives for a sleepover, apparently a week early, Bear finds himself all flustered as he tries to adjust his routines to accommodate his friend’s unexpected arrival. As it turns out, Bear needs absolute silence in order to fall asleep, and, well, Mouse isn’t absolutely as quiet as a … mouse.

Becker does a fantastic job of conveying her character’s personalities through their dialog, making it easy to assume their identities while reading. Even better, the rhythm of her text makes it almost impossible to mess up the comic timing.  Denton’s wonderfully simple yet sophisticated illustrations account for at least half the humor. Bear’s expressions alone are worth the price of the book – the exasperation and frustration are palpable! 

This is Bear and Mouse's third book.   I absolutely LOVE the friendship between this unlikely duo. While this book is perfect for a bedtime read aloud,  I also love the possibilities for using all three books as mentor texts for character development with older readers and writers.    You won't want to miss the E.B. White Read Aloud Award winning A Visitor for Bear and their second book, A Birthday for Bear.  All three books are guaranteed to bring lots for reading pleasure to readers of all ages.