Sleep Well, Little Bear - Hardcover

Buchholz, Quint

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0374370265 ISBN 13: 9780374370268

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), 1994

Synopsis

Not since Goodnight Moon have the rhythms of bedtime been so well played as in this enchanting picture book. Instead of counting sheep, an insomniac little bear sends himself to sleep by contemplating the nighttime world from the bedroom window, remembering the day's adventures and planning for tomorrow's. At the back of the book, waiting to be discovered, is a special magic letter that has materialized out of the story, for each reader to color and place under his or her pillow to ensure "a beautiful dream and a good night."

About this title

Language Notes:

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

From School Library Journal:

PreSchool-A German import with beautiful pictures and a somewhat rambling plot. At bedtime, this classic-looking Teddy bear looks out his bedroom window onto a bucolic scene, "...where the moon floats in the heavens like a great round lantern, shining softly on the meadows, on the house, on the trees, on the river, and on the whole world." The story continues as an inventory of the bear's day and speculation on what the next will bring. Finally, he kisses the moon goodnight and cuddles up in bed with his boy. There's no dramatic tension, but the smoothly written text makes a wonderful read-aloud, with a soothing rhythm perfect for a bedtime book. And Buchholz's paintings are simply lovely. He has a magical way with light and landscapes, showing moments that look frozen in time like some of Van Allsburg's best work. The overall mood of peacefulness is brilliantly created and sustained. While this story is quite long for the intended-age group, youngsters cuddled up in bed probably won't mind. In fact, some of the descriptive passages may put them to sleep. Not flawless, but certainly an attractive book that will appeal to nostalgic adults in particular. Note: the envelope tucked inside the back cover is more suited to personal use than to library use, but it is not essential to the plot.
Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0374370265
• ISBN 13: 9780374370268
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Buchholz Quint