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Don't Wake the Bear!
It's time for the animals to celebrate Spring with a party in the forest--they just have to make sure they don't wake the bear!
The woodland animals are having a party to celebrate Spring--the only problem is there is an enormous, hairy, scary bear sleeping nearby. The animals have to be especially quiet so they don't wake the bear. After tiptoeing with wobbling plates and party cake, they are almost ready to begin. The last thing left to do is fill the party balloons, but a little hare gets a little too excited and fills the balloons a little too much--POP! What are the animals going to do when the bear wakes up?
The woodland animals are having a party to celebrate Spring--the only problem is there is an enormous, hairy, scary bear sleeping nearby. The animals have to be especially quiet so they don't wake the bear. After tiptoeing with wobbling plates and party cake, they are almost ready to begin. The last thing left to do is fill the party balloons, but a little hare gets a little too excited and fills the balloons a little too much--POP! What are the animals going to do when the bear wakes up?
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
About the author
Steve Smallman
776 books58 followersSteve Smallman lives in Staffordshire with his wife, two dogs and two cats. He has four children and a grandchild. Steve has been illustrating children’s books for almost 30 years and writing his own stories for slightly less. He also teaches illustration workshops in schools, including mural-painting. Steve is the author of Smelly Peter the Great Pea Eater (Winner of the Sheffield Children's Book Award 2009) and The Lamb Who Came for Dinner (Shortlisted for the Red House Children's Book Award and read by Meatloaf on CITV's Bookaboo). When he’s not working, Steve enjoys films, television, gardening and walking in the countryside.
Steve Smallman on Steve Smallman:
I started working as an illustrator when I was in my final year at Art College and now, over 28 years later I still haven't got a proper job! I've illustrated literally hundreds of books, predominantly in educational publishing. A few years ago I was main illustrator for Longman's 'Story Street' reading scheme, illustrating 79 titles and writing 5.
I've worked in children's television, specifically in character development and most notably in the 'Raggy Doll' series in the mid to late 1980's. I have also done a certain amount of licensed work, illustrating characters such as Postman Pat, Bill and Ben and Sesame Street.
I've been described as an 'Animal Artist', not I hasten to add because I'm wild and hairy but because I love to draw animals and especially like to give them human characteristics.
I've been writing children's books for about 6 years and have already had several picture books published with more in development.
I've got 4 great children and although they're all adults now, my memories of them growing up inspire and inform my writing.
Steve Smallman on Steve Smallman:
I started working as an illustrator when I was in my final year at Art College and now, over 28 years later I still haven't got a proper job! I've illustrated literally hundreds of books, predominantly in educational publishing. A few years ago I was main illustrator for Longman's 'Story Street' reading scheme, illustrating 79 titles and writing 5.
I've worked in children's television, specifically in character development and most notably in the 'Raggy Doll' series in the mid to late 1980's. I have also done a certain amount of licensed work, illustrating characters such as Postman Pat, Bill and Ben and Sesame Street.
I've been described as an 'Animal Artist', not I hasten to add because I'm wild and hairy but because I love to draw animals and especially like to give them human characteristics.
I've been writing children's books for about 6 years and have already had several picture books published with more in development.
I've got 4 great children and although they're all adults now, my memories of them growing up inspire and inform my writing.
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February 13, 2012I don't know what to think about this one. It is fun but I kept feeling like I was reading another person's book - the bear series by Karma Wilson.
August 24, 2019
A lovely tale about a sleeping bear. The book is full of repetitive phrases like don’t wake the bear and certain words are bold and capitalised to symbolise fear and danger. The book could also be used to teach children about hibernation.
April 29, 2020
A great story for reading aloud, with a neat twist at the end. I love Steve Smallman stories, and Caroline Pedler is one of my favourite illustrators.
July 7, 2022
I loved reading this book to my son, there’s rhymes all the way through and the story was so very nice and lovely ❤️
February 13, 2012
I would like this so much better if I didn't feel like it was uncomfortably too close to a Karma Wilson/ Jane Chapman book.
February 17, 2012
Cute, but definitely a Bear Snores On rip. Still, kids won't care, and for parents over 500 readings of Bear Snores On or when it's all checked out before storytime, this is a nice alternative.
January 10, 2022
This was my all time favourite book to read two both my children when they were small. Absolutely loved it so much that the book got so worn I really want to repurchase it just for the memories and to read it again. Love this book 🥰
February 8, 2018
I very much enjoy reading this book with my 15 month-old. The story is a cute one and the rhyming text includes different font sizes that suggest where the reader might change their voice to aid in the story telling. Little one now looks for the 'pop' page and claps his hands and says 'pop' to imitate the balloon bursting.
January 7, 2019
The story is charmingly illustrated. The rhyming text has different font sizes, suggesting readers to change their voice in the story-telling.
January 9, 2019
عنوان ترجمه ی فارسی: خرگوش کوچولو خرس را بیدار نکنی!
February 1, 2020
It has lots of animals in that I like
March 10, 2020
فقط به خاطر طراحی های خوب کتاب
April 4, 2020
A great book about friendship
September 23, 2020
The animals try hard not to wake up bear as they prepare for the party, but what will happen when bear is accidentally woken up?
November 28, 2020
Definitely our favorite bedtime story.
The story is super cute, the ilustrations are different and my kid loved them.
Great book!
The story is super cute, the ilustrations are different and my kid loved them.
Great book!
April 5, 2021
Absolutely adorable! (Though not as cute as the little girl I was reading the book to.)
February 25, 2017
The woodland animals are having a party. But, oh no, the bear has fallen asleep in the hollow tree right where they were planning to have their party! Not to worry, they can still have a party, though, if they do it quietly. All seems to go as planned until… Until the hare decides to add one last touch – he brings a big, red balloon and starts to blow… It’s easy to guess what happens next, a very loud Pop! wakes the scary, hairy bear up. But what do you know, it turns out that even though bears are very hairy, they are not one bit scary! The bear joins their party and even brings a pot of honey.
This is a wonderful picture book by Steve Smallman, illustrated by Caroline Pedler. It’s written in rhyme, though, you will not find any repetitions here so it will be a lot more difficult to memorise (if you are like me, that is, someone who walks through town with the baby while reciting one of the stories and imitating all the character voices, ignoring the looks of passers-by).
I have to be honest, I picked the book up because of its beautiful illustrations. I am a sucker for pretty illustrations and this one hooked me with its cover. It is a cover with a “hole”, the bear is sleeping in the hollow tree and through the “hole” a bunny is peeping in from the first page. And I knew I had to get the book when I opened it and saw that it was written in rhyme.
The story in itself is nice. I love picture books that DO have a story, and, oh, how many there are with some beautiful artwork with nothing to show for the content. Some have an excuse, the so-called touchy-feely kind, but even then, is it so hard to actually have a story to go with all the textures? (Ellie loves Puppy’s World by Hannah Wood but the book is empty, we just love to touch things)
Ok, returning back to the review of this book. Another thing me and Ellie like is the part where the bunny blows and blows and blows… I gently blow on Ellie’s face and she loooves it. And then there is the anticipation of the “surprise” Pop! on the next page.
And I love how the illustrator showed the bear to be so very big compared with the other animals by turning the pages vertically. A very clever touch.
One more thing I would like to mention is the font of the text. It’s very cute and some of the words are bigger in size so it helps to read the book putting the emphasis in the “right” places, which comes kind of naturally thanks to the word size variation.
All in all, a wonderful book about forest animals with a nice story and beautiful illustrations. Another must-have for any child’s bookshelf!
This is a wonderful picture book by Steve Smallman, illustrated by Caroline Pedler. It’s written in rhyme, though, you will not find any repetitions here so it will be a lot more difficult to memorise (if you are like me, that is, someone who walks through town with the baby while reciting one of the stories and imitating all the character voices, ignoring the looks of passers-by).
I have to be honest, I picked the book up because of its beautiful illustrations. I am a sucker for pretty illustrations and this one hooked me with its cover. It is a cover with a “hole”, the bear is sleeping in the hollow tree and through the “hole” a bunny is peeping in from the first page. And I knew I had to get the book when I opened it and saw that it was written in rhyme.
The story in itself is nice. I love picture books that DO have a story, and, oh, how many there are with some beautiful artwork with nothing to show for the content. Some have an excuse, the so-called touchy-feely kind, but even then, is it so hard to actually have a story to go with all the textures? (Ellie loves Puppy’s World by Hannah Wood but the book is empty, we just love to touch things)
Ok, returning back to the review of this book. Another thing me and Ellie like is the part where the bunny blows and blows and blows… I gently blow on Ellie’s face and she loooves it. And then there is the anticipation of the “surprise” Pop! on the next page.
And I love how the illustrator showed the bear to be so very big compared with the other animals by turning the pages vertically. A very clever touch.
One more thing I would like to mention is the font of the text. It’s very cute and some of the words are bigger in size so it helps to read the book putting the emphasis in the “right” places, which comes kind of naturally thanks to the word size variation.
All in all, a wonderful book about forest animals with a nice story and beautiful illustrations. Another must-have for any child’s bookshelf!
September 28, 2016
The woodland animals are having a party. But, oh no, the bear has fallen asleep in the hollow tree right where they were planning to have their party! Not to worry, they can still have a party, though, if they do it quietly. All seems to go as planned until… Until the hare decides to add one last touch – he brings a big, red balloon and starts to blow… It’s easy to guess what happens next, a very loud Pop! wakes the scary, hairy bear up. But what do you know, it turns out that even though bears are very hairy, they are not one bit scary! The bear joins their party and even brings a pot of honey.
This is a wonderful picture book by Steve Smallman, illustrated by Caroline Pedler. It’s written in rhyme, though, you will not find any repetitions here so it will be a lot more difficult to memorise (if you are like me, that is, someone who walks through town with the baby while reciting one of the stories and imitating all the character voices, ignoring the looks of passers-by).
I have to be honest, I picked the book up because of its beautiful illustrations. I am a sucker for pretty illustrations and this one hooked me with its cover. It is a cover with a “hole”, the bear is sleeping in the hollow tree and through the “hole” a bunny is peeping in from the first page. And I knew I had to get the book when I opened it and saw that it was written in rhyme.
The story in itself is nice. I love picture books that DO have a story, and, oh, how many there are with some beautiful artwork with nothing to show for the content. Some have an excuse, the so-called touchy-feely kind, but even then, is it so hard to actually have a story to go with all the textures? (Ellie loves Puppy’s World by Hannah Wood but the book is empty, we just love to touch things
This is a wonderful picture book by Steve Smallman, illustrated by Caroline Pedler. It’s written in rhyme, though, you will not find any repetitions here so it will be a lot more difficult to memorise (if you are like me, that is, someone who walks through town with the baby while reciting one of the stories and imitating all the character voices, ignoring the looks of passers-by).
I have to be honest, I picked the book up because of its beautiful illustrations. I am a sucker for pretty illustrations and this one hooked me with its cover. It is a cover with a “hole”, the bear is sleeping in the hollow tree and through the “hole” a bunny is peeping in from the first page. And I knew I had to get the book when I opened it and saw that it was written in rhyme.
The story in itself is nice. I love picture books that DO have a story, and, oh, how many there are with some beautiful artwork with nothing to show for the content. Some have an excuse, the so-called touchy-feely kind, but even then, is it so hard to actually have a story to go with all the textures? (Ellie loves Puppy’s World by Hannah Wood but the book is empty, we just love to touch things
March 4, 2014
Helen for www. bigbooklittlebook.com
Bear has gone to sleep in a tree very near where the animals are planning to have their Spring party. The animals think that bears are scary and are terrified of waking him up so they set about their party preparations as quietly as they can. As they totter back and forth with noisy crockery and a slippery jelly they have the odd mishap, but when hare starts to blow up a balloon and then gets carried away and it pops what will happen when bear wakes up? Of course bear turns out to be quite different from what the animals expected and is very excited at being able to join in with the party.
This is a sweet, rhyming story that my girls like to join in with, they enjoy wondering what bear will do, the anticipation of the balloon bursting and then the party at the end. The pictures are charming, light hearted and weave in beautifully with the text. There is plenty to look at and enjoy. I also liked the uses of different sizes of text in the book, it definitely makes it easy to read aloud with lots of emphasis and drama.
Verdict: This is a lovely story and fun for younger children.
Bear has gone to sleep in a tree very near where the animals are planning to have their Spring party. The animals think that bears are scary and are terrified of waking him up so they set about their party preparations as quietly as they can. As they totter back and forth with noisy crockery and a slippery jelly they have the odd mishap, but when hare starts to blow up a balloon and then gets carried away and it pops what will happen when bear wakes up? Of course bear turns out to be quite different from what the animals expected and is very excited at being able to join in with the party.
This is a sweet, rhyming story that my girls like to join in with, they enjoy wondering what bear will do, the anticipation of the balloon bursting and then the party at the end. The pictures are charming, light hearted and weave in beautifully with the text. There is plenty to look at and enjoy. I also liked the uses of different sizes of text in the book, it definitely makes it easy to read aloud with lots of emphasis and drama.
Verdict: This is a lovely story and fun for younger children.
April 27, 2014
Don't Wake the Bear! was a very enjoyable book to read! The animals in the story are trying to throw a party and plan everything. On their way to setting up and obtaining materials, each of them does something that makes a lot of noise, scaring all of the animals into thinking that they woke the bear from his hibernation. One noise was just too loud and the bear actually did wake up. The funny thing is that the bear thought the party was for him, so he was not grumpy and the other animals pretended like this was true. Everyone enjoyed the party! The illustrations were hand drawn and very colorful. It was very fun to see all of the small details within the book that helped tie the story, the setting, and the characters all together. Children can have a lot of fun making the exaggerated noises written in the book. They also can sense the suspense waiting to see what happens!
March 24, 2013
Little forest friends are preparing for a Spring celebration taking great care to stay quiet to avoid waking a hairy, scary bear that is sleeping in a hollowed out tree right where the party is to be held. When little hare blows a red balloon up too much, it POPS waking the bear.
Loved it! Yes, it is like Katma Wilson's Bear Snores On but it is just as charming and wonderful. My students were so engrossed in my reading of the story that I hadn't realized the teachers were equally captivated until one of them startled herself by shouting out an answer to one of my question prompts. This is a sure sign of a great read aloud story.
Loved it! Yes, it is like Katma Wilson's Bear Snores On but it is just as charming and wonderful. My students were so engrossed in my reading of the story that I hadn't realized the teachers were equally captivated until one of them startled herself by shouting out an answer to one of my question prompts. This is a sure sign of a great read aloud story.
December 4, 2012
Notes: Don't Wake The Bear, by Steve Smallman and Caroline Pedler is a good book that talks about bears and nature.
Book Review: The animals in the forest are going to have a party and they do not want to wake the bear because he may get angry. So they get all ready to have the party and one animal wakes the bear. All the animals are scared, but the bear turns out to be very happy and excited that they woke him.
Recommend: I would recommend this book to students in grades K-3 and would use it with a lesson that deals with animals or nature.
Book Review: The animals in the forest are going to have a party and they do not want to wake the bear because he may get angry. So they get all ready to have the party and one animal wakes the bear. All the animals are scared, but the bear turns out to be very happy and excited that they woke him.
Recommend: I would recommend this book to students in grades K-3 and would use it with a lesson that deals with animals or nature.
February 20, 2013
For some reason, this book is published with the title "Don't Wake The Bear, Hare!" in the UK. This nice rhyming story tells of a group of animal friends preparing for a Spring party. They have to do everything quietly so as not to wake the bear sleeping nearby. Inevitably, the bear is awoken by a spectacularly loud POP (the hare over inflates a balloon) . The animals are afraid there will be trouble. You'll have to read it to see what transpires - I love to ask my listeners what they think the bear will do. Only then do we move on to see what really happens.
October 7, 2013
Don't wake the bear is a short picture book about how you shouldn't judge someone by how they look, and what others say about them. In the book the animals want to have a part but they don't want to wake up the sleeping bear, because they are afraid of him. After a bad experience with a popping balloon the bear wakes up, the animals are scared...come to find out the bear is thrilled and thinks that the party is for him. He is a nice friendly bear.
August 4, 2014
Party time, and all the animals are about to create something marvellous when they discover a bear.... Fate takes a hand, and all is resolved in a clear up of misunderstandings and community spirit. Good for fours and up; the poetic structure will have small ones chanting along with you after a while.
Four stars. Started and finished 30-7-14, read as a morning story to Rachel 31-7-14
Four stars. Started and finished 30-7-14, read as a morning story to Rachel 31-7-14
October 22, 2016
this book targets the stereotype by taking about a sleeping bear who all the animals are afraid to wake. When the bear finally wakes, he is so happy to join the party thats going on..... and the animals think that the bear is more fun than scary.
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February 7, 2012
Colorful scences invite you to stay for Spring Party Day, as whimsical animals scurry - quietly - on tip-toe preparing. The rhyming text is wonderful for expressive reading and preschoolers will love repeating, "don't wake the bear!" Reviewer #7
February 18, 2012
"As they prepare for a party, the animals in the forest try not to wake the huge bear sleeping in a nearby tree."
This book reminded me too much of Karma Wilson's "Bear" series. This was a cute story, but I would pick Wilson's to read aloud in storytime.
This book reminded me too much of Karma Wilson's "Bear" series. This was a cute story, but I would pick Wilson's to read aloud in storytime.
April 17, 2012
A fun picture book. The forest animals are planning a party but there's a bear in their log. They are worried what will happen if they wake the bear up. Needless to say, Bear wakes up, but instead of being angry, he is excited for the party.
June 11, 2012
Through adorable illustrations and text, the story is told of a sleeping bear and his friends who are planning a party. It is very similar in style to Karma Wilson's bear books, which I prefer to this one, but I'm sure kids will delight in the cute creatures of this story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews