Starred Review ALA Booklist

Starred Review Little Bear can't sleep. He's scared of the dark. Big Bear gets a lantern, then a bigger one, then one that lights the whole Bear Cave, but it doesn't help. Each time there's the same call (I don't like the dark .?20.?20.); each time Big Bear must leave his interesting book by the fire; Little Bear still can't sleep. Then Big Bear sees that all the lanterns in the world can't light up the dark outside; he takes Little Bear into the night, where the child falls asleep warm and safe in his father's arms. Winner of Britain's Smarties Grand Prize and the Kate Greenaway Medal, this is the second U.S. edition; the first was only sold through Discovery Toys. It's an elemental story, told with a beautiful simplicity and satisfying repetition. As Virginia Hamilton said in her interview with Booklist F 1 92, we all need a place of order by the fire in the cave. Firth's brightly lit watercolor and soft pencil illustrations, framed in the dark blue of the night, capture the cozy, physical affection of the story, the playfulness of Little Bear (who stands on his head while he's supposed to be trying to sleep), the shadowy mystery of the moonlit landscape, and the huge comforting presence of a parent who is always there when you call. (Reviewed Mar. 1, 1992)

Horn Book

Big Bear lights several lanterns to assuage Little Bear's fear of the dark, but nothing will do until Big Bear shows his small charge that the reassuring light of the moon is everywhere. The comfortable bedtime story has appealing illustrations. This tenth anniversary edition contains a limited edition print.

Kirkus Reviews (Mon Feb 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)

In this comforting story about a big bear trying to help a little bear overcome his fear of the dark, both the affectionate humor and the beguiling variations on a repetitive theme are reminiscent of Minarik's classic Little Bear (1957); but this British team gives a fresh flavor to the old formula. For one thing, these bears live in a cave, comfortably furnished but just the site for lurking shadows. Big Bear (who looks like an informally updated version of one of L. Leslie Brooke's amiable Three Bears) is trying to read, but willingly fetches first one and then another and another ever-larger lantern to dispel the dark that troubles the restless little bear; finally, they go into the real dark outside to admire the full moon and Little Bear drifts off to sleep, safe at last in Big Bear's encompassing arms. Waddell's charming narration has the grace and economy of old nursery tales. Using frames of mellow slate blue, Firth sets her pencil and watercolor illustrations beneath gentle arches that suggest the cave's interior, comfortably accommodating the text among vignettes and larger spreads. As in Brooke's illustrations, there are delightful domestic details to explore, but the bears are best of all. Perfect for bedtime, or anytime. (Picture book. 3-7)"

School Library Journal (Mon Feb 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)

PreS-- This warm, charming look at a small bear's fear of the dark is right on target for the preschool set. As Big Bear sits by the cozy fire trying to read, Little Bear, frightened of ``the dark all around us,'' cannot fall asleep. Sympathetic Big Bear lights lanterns in several sizes, attempting to banish the dark from the corners of their cave, but Little Bear wants more. Finally, when he is taken outside, cuddled close, and shown a full moon and twinkling stars, sleep comes instantly. Big Bear's compassion for his small charge is most evident in his loving facial expressions and in the warmth of the full-page watercolor and soft pencil illustrations. Blue arched borders around pages showing indoor scenes give the impression of looking into the cave from the dark outside; they provide a clear contrast to the wide-open snowy woodland settings at the book's beginning and end. Little Bear is the epitome of everychild, persistently (but endearingly) pestering for a little more attention and one last hug. The soft banter between the two characters, combined with a touch of repetitive phrasing, add to the book's strong child appeal. It's bound to become a beloved bedtime ritual in many households. --Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH