Can't You Sleep, Little Bear?
A beloved classic picture book about night-time fears from the legendary author of OWL BABIES, perfect for little bears and their dads to share at bedtime
Celebrate 25 years of Big Bear, Little Bear and their cosy cave in this gorgeous anniversary edition of a classic bedtime favourite.
Described as 'the most perfect children's book ever written', this is a beautiful 25th anniversary edition of the Kate Greenaway-winning story of Little Bear, who just can't sleep. There is dark all around him in the Bear Cave. Not even Big Bear's biggest lantern can light up the darkness of the night outside. Can Big Bear find a way to reassure restless Little Bear and help him fall fast asleep?
"Wonderfully reassuring for small children." The Sunday Telegraph
"The most perfect children's book ever written." Sunday Times
Creators
Born in Belfast, Martin Waddell is widely regarded as one of the greatest living children’s writers, and has over 220 published titles to his name. In 2024 he became the recipient of the An Post Irish Book Awards’ Bob Hughes Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to children's literature. He is perhaps best known for Owl Babies, illustrated by Patrick Benson and Farmer Duck, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury; as well as the 1989 Kurt Maschler Award-winning The Park in the Dark and the Little Bear series, both illustrated by Barbara Firth. In 2004, Martin received the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for his lasting contribution to children’s literature, the highest career recognition available to a writer or illustrator of children’s books.
Barbara Firth (1928-2013) won the Kate Greenaway Medal for Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? She illustrated over 30 picture books in her lifetime, including You and Me, Little Bear; Sleep Tight, Little Bear; Let's Go Home, Little Bear; Tom Rabbit; and the 1989 Kurt Maschler Award-winning The Park in the Dark.
Reviews
The most perfect children’s book ever written.
The Sunday Times
Wonderfully reassuring for small children. I cannot praise this picture book too highly. It will delight reader and listener alike.
The Sunday Telegraph
