Sandra Dutton
Jane Chapman's illustrations show animals that are startlingly realistic. Bear has dark whiskers and long, curved claws that are always at rest in his huge, furry paws. Badger's face, with its masklike brown-and-white pattern, is beautifully delineated; and Raven, dark and brooding, has a thoughtful, engaged expression. Bear's pals Wren, Gopher, Mole and Hare also appear in all three books.
— The New York Times
Publishers Weekly
Bear's thoughtful buddies rouse him from his deep hibernation nap just in time for Christmas Eve. With creative planning, the animals get their ursine friend into the holiday spirit-and the Yuletide preparations. And by the time Santa makes his appearance, guess who's tuckered out? (Not a certain Bear.) This duo's latest Bear book sustains the sweetness and humor of its predecessors (Bear Snores On; Bear Wants More) via rhyming, read-aloud-ready text and soft acrylic scenes of the cuddly creatures and wintry landscapes. Ages 3-7. (Oct.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
School Library Journal
Kids will ask for this book again and again.
Kirkus Reviews
In this third story about Bear and his friends, Bear struggles to stay awake during the group's holiday preparations. On Christmas Eve, all the other animals fall asleep, but Bear stays up all night making presents for the others. He's so busy with his work that he misses the appearance of Santa, who pauses at the cave door to fill all their stockings. On Christmas morning, the smaller animals enjoy their own gifts and then surprise Bear with a comfy quilt for his long-awaited winter slumber. The rollicking rhyming text is punctuated with the regular refrain of "but the bear stays up," which will surely be chanted gleefully by children listening to this story. The illustrations do a fine job with animal expressions and with difficult situations such as a mole popping corn and a Raven stirring up some fruitcake. The oversized format includes many double-page spreads with the bumbling, big-hearted bear in action and then finally settling down for a long winter's nap, after which Bear had better be back. (Picture book. 3-7)
From the Publisher
School Library Journal, starred review Kids will ask for this book again and again.
