ALA Booklist (Wed Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 1997)

Perfect for fall (or any time), this exuberant cumulative tale teaches a science lesson as it tells a story. Bear can tell by sniffing the air that winter is coming and it is time to hibernate. But before she crawls into her cave to go to sleep, she alerts Snail, who tells Skunk, who tells Turtle, and on and on, until silly, enthusiastic Ladybug awakens Bear to give her the news she already has. Fleming's illustrations are a total delight. More expressionistic than those in some of her previous books, they are full of rich, bright autumn colors. Created from colored cotton rag fiber, the beautifully textured double-page spreads are expressive and funny, with Fleming making great use of close-ups in the soft-edged pictures. And as for the science . . . children will find it a lovely surprise to learn that tiny ladybugs and big bears have something in common. (Reviewed October 1, 1997)

Horn Book

When bear 'smell[s] winter in the air,' she decides to inform snail that 'it is time to sleep.' Snail, in turn, tells skunk, who tells woodchuck, who tells ladybug, who tells bear...but bear is already asleep and doesn't appreciate being awakened with the news. Fleming's subtle blend of autumnal colors on pulpy, handmade paper creates a mild, seasonal atmosphere--a complement to this tastefully understated joke.

Kirkus Reviews

A well-wrought bedtime book from Fleming (Where Once There Was a Wood, 1996, etc.), who sends little ones cheerfully off to their dreams. When Bear smells winter in the air, she knows it's time to sleep, and she will, just after she tells Snail. Snail recalls the frost on the grass this morning and knows Bear is right—it's time to sleep, right after Skunk is told. It is Ladybug who carries the news full circle back to Bear, snoring in her cave. Sleepy goodnights end the book as white flakes appear in the dark forest. The illustrations, created by pouring colored cotton pulp through hand-cut stencils, feature boldly life-like small animals and insects who face the coming of winter in a simple, truthful manner. Visual delight and solid natural history aside, the joy of the story is the way in which it incorporates childlike attempts to delay bedtime and a beautifully turned, humorous ending. A perfect fit for the audience. (Picture book. 2-7)"

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

<EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">PW said, "Children will easily discern the distinct clues of autumn's transition to winter as well as the hibernation habits of several common animals, while enjoying this entertaining tale that doubles as a bedtime story." Ages 4-8.<EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC""> (Sept.)

School Library Journal

PreS--Frost on the grass. Falling leaves. Days growing shorter. A sky full of geese. Even a skin "so tight I could not eat another bite" is a sign that winter is on its way. Clearly it's not just your everyday bedtime but the long winter's sleep we're dealing with here, as Bear smells winter in the air and gets ready to hibernate. First, though, she must tell Snail, who must tell Skunk, who must tell Turtle, and so on until Ladybug brings it full circle, waking Bear to tell her...It's Time to Sleep. Fleming uses colored cotton rag fiber to create her jewel-toned illustrations, erupting here in fiery autumn colors. Their angular composition heightens the sense of activity generated by the animals' preparations until Bear's solid, slumbering form brings it all to a cozy, comfortable close. This gem of a picture book, subtly informative and poetic in its simplicity, is certain to become a staple of seasonal storyhours and nursery-school curricula. No children's collection should be without it!--Marcia Hupp, Mamaroneck Public Library, NY