Are You Sure, Mother Bear?

Will everything I love still be there when I wake? Mother Bear’s absolute reassurance – and an unexpected outing – enables a little cub to sleep in a masterful bedtime story.

From author Amy Hest and artist Lauren Tobia comes a warm and touching story that is sure to comfort all little bears before bedtime. On the first night of winter, Little Miss Bear will not go to sleep. She simply refuses. "Winter is for sleeping," Mother Bear tells her. "All bears sleep, all winter long." But all winter long is much too long for Little Miss Bear. She is going to miss her stars and her moon, and she is going to miss rolling on her hills. Most of all, she is going to miss her Mother Bear. Can Mother Bear reassure her that they will all be there waiting for her when she wakes in the spring?

• Nobody does warm and cosy like Amy Hest and this story hits all the right buttons. The connection between the mother and child is pitch perfect
• Lauren Tobia's art has a fresh yet classic feel that more than matches the warmth and emotion of the text

About the Author

Amy Hest is the author of many much-loved and bestselling picture books, including Kiss Good Night, illustrated by Anita Jeram, and Charley's First Night and When Charley Met Granpa, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. About this book, she says, "I love snuggling up with someone special on those beautiful snowy nights ... I love cocoa!" Amy Hest lives in New York City, USA.

About the Illustrator

Lauren Tobia is the illustrator of several books for children, including Baby's Got the Blues, written by Carol Diggory Shields, Happy in Our Skin, written by Fran Manushkin, and the multiple award-winning Anna Hibiscus picture books, written by Atinuke. About this book, she says, "It has been a joy to crunch through the snow with Little Miss Bear and her mother. I am a big fan of snowy walks, too!" Lauren lives in Bristol with her husband and their two Jack Russell terriers, Poppy and Tilly.