The final episode, in which Little Bear has fallen asleep in Big Bear's arms, and Big Bear (finally!) gets to finish his book, was particularly adorable. The artwork by Barbara Firth is simply delightful, perfectly capturing the emotional register of each scene. The second bedtime book from Northern Irish author Martin Waddell, after the equally delightful Owl Babies, that I have read, Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? is an immensely satisfying book, depicting both Little Bear's fears, and Big Bear's compassion and patience, with sympathy. Unable to get to sleep, Little Bear tosses and turns, and although Big Bear continually interrupts his reading (what a father!) to bring him progressively larger lanterns, nothing seems to help him overcome his fear of the dark that is "all around." Finally, Big Bear takes Little Bear outside, in order to give him the biggest lantern of all. Big Bear and Little Bear - "Big Bear is the big bear, and Little Bear is the little bear," the narrator informs us, in one of those dead-pan asides that I always find irresistibly hilarious - settle in for the night in this charming bedtime story about being afraid of the dark.
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