Old Bear by Kevin Henkes

I am a total sucker for the gentle nature of a season book.  You know the ones I am thinking of - lots of rich, seasonal illustrations as the author leads us from one season to the next.

Bear enters his deep slumber as winter approaches.  Then he dreams luscious bear dreams of meadows, springtime and blueberries.  And the change of seasons.  He wakes and the world is new again.http://www.kevinhenkes.com/

Old Bear by Kevin Henkes will guide your little ones through the seasons while also easing them into slumber.  I think it would be a great book for a reluctant sleeper who wonders, "What happens when I sleep?"

Catch Mr. Henkes latest works at www.kevinhenkes.com

This Place in the Snow by Rebecca Bond

A silent snow fell all night long
It lay like lace along the trees.
It hatted the houses.
It capsuled the cars
in thick and sticky white.
-from This Place in the Snow by Rebecca Bond

It is such a joy to read a childrens' book that brings this level of writing to a quiet bedtime.  Normally I would save a winter book for the appropriate season but this one is too good to hold until November.  Words and illustration mesh perfectly, building through quiet snowfall, awakening and the euphoria that a snowy day lies at your feet with all its promise. 

My kids will never wake to a snowbound morning in our neighborhood so Ms. Bond's book gave me another opportunity to share stories of morning snowfall, closed schools, snowball fights and the absolute quiet of a wintry forest.  I hope that you will read this and do the same.