Books to Read When... It's Time to Hibernate

The air is getting colder, leaves are falling and starting to decompose, and frost covers the ground in the morning --all signs of the coming winter. Not only is the winter a time where we humans like to snuggle in deep in front of a cozy fire, animals also find ways to stay warm and cozy to outlast this cold season --one of which is hibernation. Hibernation is a period when animals slow their heart rate to save energy, some animals just slow down and move less frequently during hibernation, but others go into a deep sleep and don't wake up till spring. So, here are some books featuring hibernating animals that you can enjoy during your own winter hibernation.

The Most Beautiful Winter

By Cristina Sitja Rubio

Translated by Vineet Lal

Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2024. Picture Book.

Badger has big winter plans for his friends: Mr. Bear, Marmot, Nighthawk, and the snails, hedgehogs, bats, and tortoises --but he soon discovers that they are all asleep! No sledding or snowball fights to be had! Until a sleepy bat suggests he try the birds, and Badger soon makes new friends and learns new games ---raising a toast to the most beautiful winter.

Harold Hates to Hibernate

By Vern Kousky

New York: Random House Studio, 2024. Picture Book.

Harold does NOT want to go to sleep for the winter! He wants to stay up and keep playing with his friends, the crows, worried that they will forget him if he hibernates. But, inevitably the days get colder and Harold needs to find a way to stay awake. With the help of the crows, Harold tries everything, from pajamas to a full belly --but when winter comes in earnest, ultimately the crows snuggle him in for a nice cozy rest.

Bear's Big Dreaming

Written by Michael Rosen

Illustrated by Daniel Egnéus

New York: Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2023. Picture Book.

Little Bear is worried about the upcoming Big Sleep --will there be enough dreams to fill all that time? Determined not to have a Big Nothing for the Big Dreaming, Little Bear heads out in search of more dreams. Through encounters with other forest creatures, Little Bear collects dreams of hope, joy, and homecoming.

A Story for Small Bear

Written by Alice B. McGinty

Illustrated by Richard Jones

New York: Schwartz & Wade Books, 2020. Picture Book.

Small Bear desperately wants a story before her and her mother settle down for their hibernation, but there is lots to do to prepare! Small Bear's mother tells her cub that if the youngster gets her tasks done quickly enough, there will be time for them to share a story together --no dilly dallying! Will Small Bear get her wish?

Comments

Review: Faker

Faker By Gordon Korman New York: Scholastic Press, 2024. Fiction. 214 pages. 12-year-old Trey is used to starting over at a new school -- he has the routine perfectly memorized: make new friends, introduce his dad to the wealthy parents of his new friends, and "Houdini" themselves out of there before they get caught running their latest scam. Trey's dad is a master con artist, and Trey has just been promoted to full-partner. Their new scheme for the next big score brings them to the affluent suburb of Boxelder, TN where Trey's dad has cooked up a fake electric car company for investors to buy into. The only problem is that Trey is starting to grow tired of moving around and never putting down roots, especially after forming a fast friendship with Logan and developing a crush on Kaylee, a socially conscious girl in his class. As Trey longs for a normal life, is there any way he can convince his dad to get out of the family business? Gordon Korman is a perennial favorit

Review: The Frindle Files

Frindle Files By Andrew Clements New York: Random House, 2024. Fiction. 198 pages. In 1996 Andrew Clements wrote a story about a kid who invented the word “frindle” (another word for “pen.”) The Frindle Files is the sequel that takes place many years later. Josh is a student in Mr. N’s class. He and his friends can’t stand the fact that Mr. N makes them all write their homework down on paper with a “blue or black pen” and “neatness counts.” Josh is a computer geek and loves to do all his homework on the computer. In the midst of trying to find a way to make Mr. N accept the students' desire to do homework online, Josh comes across some information about Mr. N that links him to the word “frindle.” Now Josh and his best friend must decide what to do with the information and if they are willing to stand up to Mr. N’s antiquated way of doing homework. Kids who love the original book will highly enjoy this new edition. It is a continuation to the story in that it shows what ha

Review: Life After Whale

Life After Whale Written by Lynn Brunelle Illustrated by Jason Chin New York: Holiday House, 2024. Informational. Have you ever wondered what happens after a whale dies? In this beautiful book, you'll discover what happens for years after a whale's death. The book begins by introducing the blue whale and talking a little about its life. It moves quickly on to a whale's death, where his body first falls to the very bottom of the ocean floor. You'll meet the scavengers, first big then smaller as the years progress that eat the whale's decomposing body until finally it is used as a food source for krill which are then eaten by blue whales. In addition to being an excellent resource to discussing the animal circle of life, this book is a work of art. Jason Chin's watercolor and gauche illustrations will have readers dissecting every detail and flipping through for a further look. Kids who love animal facts will be absolutely enthralled by this tale.

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