Bear-Themed Bedtime Books and a Beary Yummy Snack

There’s nothing like tucking your little one into bed with their favorite stuffed bear for the night. This bedtime ritual is even sweeter when you can snuggle together and enjoy a great bedtime book about sleepy bears. But, let’s rewind just a bit…

Mommy, can I have a bedtime snack?

It’s a request before it’s time to hit the sheets in many households! Fill their tummies with a healthy bear snack and then head to bed with a big heap of bear-themed bedtime books!

Bear Snack for Bedtime

To make the “Bears in a Bed” snack you will need:

1 graham cracker square
1 tsp. peanut butter (nut-free alternative also works)
2 Teddy Grahams (any variety of bear-shaped graham crackers will do)
1 cheese slice

Directions:

Spread the peanut butter on the graham cracker.
Place the Teddy Grahams at the top of the cracker so that their heads hang out when the “cover” is spread.
Lay the cheese slice on top to cover the bears from the neck down.

Bear Snack for Bedtime
Enjoy the yummy treat while talking about bears!

Now it’s time to brush teeth and pile into bed with some of these great bear-themed read-aloud books that are perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and even the big kids who still enjoy a great picture book.

You're All My Favorites

by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram

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Mother Bear and Father Bear tuck their three bears in each night while reassuring them that they are the most wonderful bears in the world. The baby bears each begin to wonder how their parents truly know they are the best bears in the world. Their doubts are gently assuaged by reminding them time and time again that they are truly loved. A sweet, reassuring story of love for our children is a perfect way to end the day.

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Bear's Dream

by Janet Slingsby, illustrated Tony Morris

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Teddy Bear is having a hard time falling asleep when he notices a book about bears next to him. As he drifts off to sleep, he dreams of all the types of animals he might meet on an adventure. He encounters grizzlies, sloths, polar, and sun bears along the way. Little ones will definitely be sleepy after this bear adventure.

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Sleep, Big Bear, Sleep!

by Maureen Wright, illustrated by Will Hillenbrand

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Kids will get sleepier and sleepier as you read this tale of Big Bear who struggles to hear the gentle advice of Old Man Winter warning him to sleep. Big Bear first thinks the voice is telling him to drive a jeep, sweep, leap, and dive deep. Each new activity makes it more difficult for Big Bear to keep his eyes open. Old Man Winter finally yells, "It's wintertime, now go to bed!" Hillenbrand's soft and gentle illustrations establish a calmness that aids in relaxing the little listeners.

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Bear Has a Story to Tell

by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead

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Before it is time to hibernate, Bear has a story he wants to tell. All the animals in the forest are too busy to listen to Bear's tale. Winter passes and Bear is excited to share his story with his friends in the spring, but the trouble is now he can't remember it. His friends come to the rescue and help him piece together his story. The value of patience is a topic well suited for bedtime when children are in a more calm and receptive mode.

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Old Bear

by Kevin Henkes

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Old Bear settles in for a long winter sleep. Travel through the seasons as Old Bear dreams about the beauty of spring, summer, autumn, and fall. Henkes uses colorful illustrations to help showcase the vivid details of each season and complements those illustrations with highly descriptive verse. A perfect read for younger children.

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