In a deep, dark cave, a great brown bear sleeps through the cold winter months while the wind howls outside. One by one, a series of small forest animals, beginning with a tiny mouse, seek shelter from the storm inside his warm den. The mouse starts a small fire and pops corn, followed by a rabbit, a badger, and several birds who bring ginger tea and honey nuts. They hold a boisterous party with singing and storytelling, yet the bear remains in a heavy slumber. When a stray peppercorn flake finally makes him sneeze, the bear wakes up to find his home filled with guests and snacks.
This picture book serves parents and teachers introducing young children to rhythmic rhyme and forest ecology. Readers observe a contrast between the stillness of hibernation and the frantic energy of social gathering. Children learn about the frustration of missing out on a celebration and the value of including others in a group. The repetitive refrain and predictable cadence help early readers anticipate vocabulary, while the story concludes with a lesson on hospitality and sharing within a community.
Practical, outward-looking, growth-minded and clear-cut; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Practical Optimizer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2002
- Language
- EN
