Bedtime Book for Insomniacs: Wide-Awake Bear

I'm excited to share another new picture book written by the very talented Pat Zietlow Miller and charmingly illustrated by Jean Kim: WIDE-AWAKE BEAR.

Harper Collins Books, 2018

Skim through your friends' social media posts and, if your friends are anything like mine, you'll soon find one or many groaning comments about being unable to sleep. 
Not complaining about being too overworked or too busy to sleep.
Just laments about lying there in bed, tossing and turning, plumping pillows, shifting covers, maybe even hot-flashing. Nothing works. The posting friends are up and typing because they are 
STILL. 
WIDE. 
AWAKE.
Plenty of little ones have similar issues but lack the outlet to post about it. Instead they call for help.

Little bear cub Elliott understands completely. 

When leaves drop, snow dusts the hillside, and the last of the berries are gone, Mama Bear calls him into the den to "nap" until Spring. Elliott, with his teeny patchwork quilt, is one cooperative and self-sufficient bear. He snuggles, sleeps, and dreams- of SPRING! Then, when a tickled nose wakes him, he is THE BEST at problem solving- shifting positions, plumping his bedding, daydreaming about spring, but 
STILL. 
WIDE.
AWAKE. 
So far so good. Elliott's approach offers good examples for adults or wee ones for self-comfort and independence. 

But shadows on the walls and worries about spring require Mama's support. No spoilers here, except to say that the sweet factor ratchets up considerably from that point on, but there is nothing cloying in the way Elliott and Mama resolve his issues. 

This makes a wonderful bedtime book, or hold it in reserve until the next time your tot wakes you in the night. One reading should do it, but expect to have him or her asking for a reading every night after that. 
Miller's genuine emotion and patented lyrical voice are enhanced by Kim's gentle illustrations. The opening and closing end papers are a special treat. In every picture book it's all about the eyes, and in this case the TINY little black eyes and eyebrow dashes manage to convey more authentic emotion than more typical wide-eyed attempts. 

This book is a great gift for parents of struggling sleepers, or check it out at the library when a young one hits a bumpy stage. In fact, it could be just the right gift for an adult you know with chronic sleep issues. Add some chamomile tea, a jar of honey, and some berry jam to make a wonderful encouragement for a good night's sleep.