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Bear Is Not Tired
For fans of Karma Wilson’s Bear Snores On comes a whimsical bedtime story about a bear who is absolutely, positively not sleepy at all. . . .
Bear and his duck family do everything together. That is, until winter arrives. Bear is supposed to hibernate this time of year, but he doesn’t want to miss out on any of the fun. But can Bear really stay awake all winter long? Gentle humor and endearing illustrations bring a delightful twist to a bedtime routine that children and their parents will easily recognize.
Bear and his duck family do everything together. That is, until winter arrives. Bear is supposed to hibernate this time of year, but he doesn’t want to miss out on any of the fun. But can Bear really stay awake all winter long? Gentle humor and endearing illustrations bring a delightful twist to a bedtime routine that children and their parents will easily recognize.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 12, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
August 29, 2016
I didn't really care for this one. The story is cute, but the illustrations left something to be desired. Truthfully, I am weirded out by the ducks spending so much time with the bear when he is hibernating.
August 15, 2018
Love this even more than "Room for Bear"! Wintertime rolls around and bear is supposed to hibernate, but he doesn't want to go to sleep and miss out on all the fun his duck family is having. Mama duck finally comes up with a compromise. Such sweet, funny illustrations and story. Love the little ducks in snowsuits and bear falling asleep in everything. Lovely. Will use for storytimes. 2+
January 11, 2026
Loved the illustrations and the sweet story.
December 12, 2015
As someone who struggled with going to bed when I was little - I was always the kid who worried that I'd miss out on something, once I was asleep - I love seeing a book that addresses that very dilemma in Bear is Not Tired.
Author/illustrator Ciara Gavin revisits Bear from her popular 2015 title Room for Bear, who has continued to live happily with his duck family. However, winter has settled in, and Bear is reluctant to go to sleep. He's worried about missing out on winter activities with the rest of the family...
What's fantastic about this continuation to Bear's tale, is Gavin's candid recognition of what Bear is afraid to miss out on, as winter begins settling in.
Bear's concerns about missing out on the events are taken seriously, which is an important idea for younger readers to comprehend, especially as they begin to learn how to convey their ideas and wishes to the adults around them.
Garvin's emphasis on the family's efforts to come to a compromise, by first helping Bear stay up and then figuring out an alternative solution when that doesn't work, is also fantastic as well. Not only is it delightful to see the various ways that the ducks try to help Bear, but it's also a gentle nod that there are always alternative solutions, especially if the first one doesn't work.
With watercolor illustrations using a warm palette, and small details - e.g. a tender scene that shows one of the youngest members of the family, trying to include a slumbering Bear - that will make any readers smile, this is a great addition to any young reader's shelf, especially as they work through bedtime and the winter months.
Bottom line: Bear is Not Tired is a great book that reminds readers on the importance of accepting routine, and the fact that there are compromises to ensure that they won't miss out on the fun. Highly recommend for all.
Author/illustrator Ciara Gavin revisits Bear from her popular 2015 title Room for Bear, who has continued to live happily with his duck family. However, winter has settled in, and Bear is reluctant to go to sleep. He's worried about missing out on winter activities with the rest of the family...
What's fantastic about this continuation to Bear's tale, is Gavin's candid recognition of what Bear is afraid to miss out on, as winter begins settling in.
Bear's concerns about missing out on the events are taken seriously, which is an important idea for younger readers to comprehend, especially as they begin to learn how to convey their ideas and wishes to the adults around them.
Garvin's emphasis on the family's efforts to come to a compromise, by first helping Bear stay up and then figuring out an alternative solution when that doesn't work, is also fantastic as well. Not only is it delightful to see the various ways that the ducks try to help Bear, but it's also a gentle nod that there are always alternative solutions, especially if the first one doesn't work.
With watercolor illustrations using a warm palette, and small details - e.g. a tender scene that shows one of the youngest members of the family, trying to include a slumbering Bear - that will make any readers smile, this is a great addition to any young reader's shelf, especially as they work through bedtime and the winter months.
Bottom line: Bear is Not Tired is a great book that reminds readers on the importance of accepting routine, and the fact that there are compromises to ensure that they won't miss out on the fun. Highly recommend for all.
March 3, 2016
For fans of BEAR SNORES ON. Bear tries to fight his nature and stay awake with his duck family roommates through winter. Mama Duck persuades him to sleep, promising he won't miss out on anything. The end is so sweet.
March 1, 2016
Ridiculously sweet tale of a bear who desperately tries to stay awake during the winter so he won't miss out on any of the fun his duck family is having. I probably "aaaaahed" at least once every few pages.
March 2, 2016
Picked this one up because the author and I share a first name (yay Irish peeps!) and man was it adorable.
January 24, 2026
A cute little story about a bear who has FOMO and doesn't want to hibernate while all his friends are having fun. I imagine someday when I'm a toddler this book might come in handy to remind me that it's important to go to bed when our bodies need sleep and that all the fun we worry about missing out on will be there for us when we wake up.
January 17, 2020
In this sweet story, the duck members of the family convince the bear member of the family to to be a bear and enjoy his winter sleep. The illustration with the ducks keeping close to the sleeping bear are adorable.
August 8, 2024
This was so adorable. A bear is a part of a duck family. He does everything with them. But when winter comes, Bear starts getting sleepy. He tries to stay awake instead of hibernating. I loved this, both the artwork and the story. The bear in the floaty was hilarious.
May 18, 2017
Original plot line. A fun read about a very tired bear. It's fun to read before bed.
September 21, 2017
For any child who doesn't like to go to bed - thinking they'll miss out on all the fun! A sweet addition to the duck/bear family series.
August 10, 2018
Oh my goodness this book was adorable. The art, the story, and the sweet little characters. <3
January 17, 2019
This is a good book for introducing hibernation.
December 31, 2019
Cute, silly story about embracing differences and being a good friend.
January 20, 2020
This was sweet, about a bear who hibernated but his duck family still kept him close and had the photos to prove at the end of winter. Read for outreach storytime tomorrow.
August 31, 2020
Copyright 2016
Genre Children-fiction
I like that this book highlighted belonging because bear is always treated as a valued member of the goose family. In my classroom I can use this book to showcase that every student brings their own unique experiences and background to enrich our classroom.
Genre Children-fiction
I like that this book highlighted belonging because bear is always treated as a valued member of the goose family. In my classroom I can use this book to showcase that every student brings their own unique experiences and background to enrich our classroom.
December 10, 2020
This is a cute and silly book about a bear hibernating, except his family is a group of ducks. I think this could have taken an opportunity to discuss birds that fly south for the winter, too.
July 10, 2021
Sweet story about including others even when they are different
December 6, 2021
The sentiment is so sweet, and the reality is kind of... odd.
April 10, 2022
This was s an adorable book how a bear thinks he’s a duck and thinks he will miss out if he sleeps through the winter. But mama duck tells him he won’t miss out. And her promise is fulfilled!
April 9, 2023
4/7/22: #picturebook readathon: funny - not super funny but it is cute the way bear tries to stay awake for his friends.
September 7, 2023
For me, the most endearing part of this book is the lovely artwork....super sweet!!!!!
October 21, 2023
4/7/22: #picturebook readathon: funny - not super funny but it is cute the way bear tries to stay awake for his friends.
April 19, 2024
“Sweet.”
(read aloud by himself, missed 3 words, ‘inconvenient’, ‘lullaby’, and ‘reassured’.)
(read aloud by himself, missed 3 words, ‘inconvenient’, ‘lullaby’, and ‘reassured’.)
February 4, 2026
I'm kind of in love with this one! Used it in "Little Pretzels" to talk about winter animal behavior (real and fictional) but also love and acceptance of differences.
March 21, 2026
Cute story cute illustrations
March 7, 2017
3/6/2017 Read with Naomi & Julia.
February 11, 2016
This is the second book featuring Bear and his adopted family of ducks. In the first book, the bear and ducks had to figure out a home that worked for all of them. In this follow up, bear is getting steadily more and more sleepy as winter approaches. But ducks don’t hibernate and Bear worried about missing out on things throughout an entire season. So Bear decided not to sleep, but the ducks started to notice that Bear was acting differently. Bear tried and tried to stay awake, but nothing seemed to work. Finally Mama Duck pulled Bear aside and promised that if he slept through the winter, he would not miss a thing. And it was true!
Gavin has written another winning picture book about the unusual pairing of a family of ducks and a solitary bear. Here the story focuses on Bear and his unique need to sleep through the cold months. It’s a story that will speak to families who have people who respond differently to things, who like different activities, but still want to be with one another. Perhaps the ducks’ ways of including Bear in everything despite him being asleep will inspire new ways of thinking for human families to stay close even when they are doing different things.
Gavin’s art work has a lovely gauzy quality to it, giving Bear his huge softness. Meanwhile the little ducks are done in firmer lines. All of them have personalities that brighten the page and enhance the story. The little ducks are all characters, and it is clear through their body language alone how much all of the animals love one another.
A lovely winter read, perfect for curling up on a cozy couch or snuggled at bedtime. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
Gavin has written another winning picture book about the unusual pairing of a family of ducks and a solitary bear. Here the story focuses on Bear and his unique need to sleep through the cold months. It’s a story that will speak to families who have people who respond differently to things, who like different activities, but still want to be with one another. Perhaps the ducks’ ways of including Bear in everything despite him being asleep will inspire new ways of thinking for human families to stay close even when they are doing different things.
Gavin’s art work has a lovely gauzy quality to it, giving Bear his huge softness. Meanwhile the little ducks are done in firmer lines. All of them have personalities that brighten the page and enhance the story. The little ducks are all characters, and it is clear through their body language alone how much all of the animals love one another.
A lovely winter read, perfect for curling up on a cozy couch or snuggled at bedtime. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews