ABOUT THE BOOK

It is a hot summer day, and
Bear's eyes are droopy.
But . . .
BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
pesky bugs are buzzing
here and there and everywhere.
What is a sleepy little bear to do?
He could try a growl.
GRRRRRR!
He could try a roar.
ROAR!
He could try swimming
and climbing and hiding
and running . . .
oh, dear!

It's a hot summer day, and
now Bear really needs a rest. Help!

ARTIST'S NOTE

At first I thought this bear was going to be a big, grown-up bear, but then I began to see him as a cinnamon bear cub, who has just left home and is fending for himself. I tried to get the feel of a hot, hazy day by having few strong shadows and using thinner, more saturated colors. I made these pictures actual size with ink and acrylic paint on Fabriano Artistico Extra White 300lb hot press watercolor paper.

REVIEWS

"Spot-on facial expressions make Schoenherr's illustrations shine. His renderings of the insects are remarkably lifelike, while bear and the raccoons are stuffed animals come alive. This dichotomy enhances the bear-against-the-bugs aspect of the story. A sweet summertime bedtime tale sure to garner an empathetic smile from anyone who has ever suffered mosquito-buzzing-in-the-ear insomnia."

- Kirkus Reviews

"The large, double-page spreads are filled edge to edge with bright, well-detailed acrylic artwork showing the small, furry bear fighting with the pesky bugs, and, later, the peace he finds 'like a furry brown flower' with his delicate, beautiful new friends. This warm bedtime rhyme will have toddlers pointing at the uproar and then snuggling down, soft and warm, just like the 'Dear little / fast-asleep / at-last-asleep / Bear.'"

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copyright © Ian Schoenherr