Can’t You Sleep, Little Bear?

Story

Big Bear and Little Bear live together in their cosy Bear Cave. When it comes to bedtime, Little Bear can’t sleep because he is scared of the dark. Big Bear gives him a little lantern, then a bigger lantern, and then an even bigger lantern but Little Bear is still scared. However, Big Bear knows just the thing to show Little Bear that there’s nothing to be afraid of.

Why we chose it

A much loved bed time story from one of the greatest picture books authors and one of the finest children’s illustrators. Martin Waddel’s gentle text and Barbara Firth’s beautifully bear-like bears combine to create a timeless classic.

Where it came from

Martin Waddell was born in 1941 at the foot of the Mountain of Mourne and he lives there still. He has loved stories all his life. His own stories are inspired things that happened to him growing up in Northern Ireland.

Where it went next

Can’t You Sleep, Little Bear won the Smarties Prize in 1988. Four other stories about Big Bear and Little Bear followed, Let’s Go Home, Little Bear, You and Me, Little Bear, Well Done, Little Bear and Sleep Tight, Little Bear. Waddell won the Hans Christian Andersen award in 2004.

Associated stories

Waddel has written a number of picture books including Farmer Duck illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, Owl Babies illustrated by Patrick Benson, The Big Big Sea illustrated by Jennifer Eachus, The Pig in the Pond and The Happy Hedgehog Band illustrated by Jill Barton and Once There Were Giants illustrated by Penny Dale

For a long time Waddell wanted to be a professional footballer. His series of books about Napper are set in the world of junior football.

Waddell has also written for older children under the pen name Catherine Sefton.