Best Bear and Hibernation Books for Preschool

Ultimate List of Books About Bears

Are you looking for kid-friendly books about bears and hibernation to read aloud in your classroom? Bears and hibernation are popular topics for a winter theme in preschool and kindergarten. Why do bears hibernate? Do all bears hibernate? Which other animals hibernate?

These are all great questions that can be answered when reading age-appropriate books about bears to your little learners.

Best Books About Bears for Preschool

Books About Bears

Here are some of my favorite fiction and non-fiction books about bears and hibernation to read-aloud to young children. These books are perfect to read during your bear theme and go nicely with your small group literacy and math activities.

Bear Snores On Book
Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson is my favorite books about bears and hibernation; I just had to put it first because I love it so much! The rhyming text is so engaging it draws the reader (and listeners) into the story and holds their attention throughout as they anticipate and join in reading the repetitive text. The beautiful illustrations also play a big part in capturing the attention of the kids. The animals are busy making tea and popping corn but… the Bear Snores On!


Where’s My Teddy? by Jez Alborough. Eddy the bear has lost his teddy, Freddy! Eddy ventures into the woods in search of his missing teddy bear. Once in the woods, he’s surprised to discovers his teddy bear has changed. Fast-paced and funny, Where’s My Teddy? from beloved children’s illustrator Jez Alborough has spent two and a half decades delighting little learners far and wide — thus earning its place as a picture book classic.

Teddy Bears Picnic Book

The Best Bear Books for Preschoolers

If you’ve never had a Teddy Bear Picnic in your classroom, I highly recommend it. You can read The Teddy Bear’s Picnic, by Jimmy Kennedy to the tune of the song by the same name – super fun!

Bears Bears Bears by Bob Barner
The king of preschool, Bob Barner, strikes again with Bears! Bears! Bears!
Bob Barner’s unique style of textured paper collage illustrations will bring bears from around the world to life for your little learners. Join different types of bears as they playfully romp across the fun-filled pages featuring simple rhyming text and fun facts.

Were Going on a Bear Hunt Book
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, by Michael Rosen. Every teacher worth their salt is familiar with this classic children’s book! Children of all ages squeal with delight as they move and chant along with the repetitive verses as they venture through imaginary grasses, rivers, swamps, mud, and snowstorms in their quest to find a bear. Adored by young children for more than 50 years, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt continues to delight little learners everywhere.

jamberry by bruce degen
Jamberry, by Bruce Degen. A bestselling classic featuring a young boy and a friendly bear who embark on a berrypicking adventure. Their search for blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries leads to fun and silly rhyming wordplay that will elicit giggles from your kids.

Pro Tip: Try tasting different berries after reading, and graphing the results on chart paper.

Corduroy by don freeman
Corduroy, by Don Freeman. For more than 50 years this timeless classic has warmed the hearts of young and old alike. A little bear and a young girl find the friend they’ve been looking for in each other.

Pro Tip: You can use this book as a springboard to further investigate pockets and buttons.

Time to Sleep by Denise Fleming

Books About Hibernation

Perfect for introducing hibernation and seasons to young children, Time to Sleep, by Denise Fleming is a must read for all teachers of young children. It’s time to hibernate, but first, bear must tell her friends winter is coming!

Watch me grow: bears by DK
Watch Me Grow: Bear, by Discovery Kids is a beautifully photpgraphed book detailing the life cycle of animals in the wilderness. Readers will get to lean what it’s like to grow up in the animal world.

Hibernation Station

A charming, imaginative story, Hibernation Station by Michelle Meadows includes many types of animals that hibernate in addition to bears. The beautiful full-page illustrations coupled with the rhyming text in this sweet book are sure to make this an instant hit with all kids. Perfect for discussing the change of seasons too! The animals are headed for hibernation on a train made of logs and a track of sticks, but will they ever fall asleep?

Preschool Books About Bears

Bear Books to Read-Aloud to Preschoolers

When Will it Be Spring? Catherine Walters
Baby Bear is eagerly awaiting the arrival of spring, but how much longer will he have to wait? All young children can relate to this story about the difficulty of waiting. Your little learners will also be introduced to seasons and signs of winter in this book.

 

Old Bear

By award-winning children’s author Kevin Henkes, Old Bear dreams through the seasons in this endearing tale.

 

The Best Bear Books for Kids

Your kids will fall in love with The Bear’s Winter House, by John Yeoman. This kind tale of friendship and sharing is sure to warm your heart on a cold winter’s day! Bear is busy preparing his winter den while his friends laugh, but being a kind bear, he invites them in to escape the cold.

 

The Best Picture Books About Bears to Read-Aloud

The Snowy Nap, by Jan Brett – no study of winter would be complete with a Jan Brett book!

 

Sleep, Black Bear, Sleep

In her book, Sleep, Black Bear, Sleep, Jane Yolen offers many opportunities for developing phonological awareness skills as children listen and respond to the rhyming text. Fluency, rhythm and rhyme are all supported in this sweet winter lullaby with charming and detailed illustrations.

 

Sleep, Big Bear, Sleep!

Maureen Wright’s Sleep, Big Bear, Sleep! is an engaging read aloud that will have your kids giggling from cover to cover! Not just funny, this book provides excellent opportunities to point out and discuss rhyming words.

Looking for books about Goldilocks and the Three Bears? Check out the Goldilocks book list.

Your local library is an excellent place to find the children’s books on any topic.

More Bear Ideas

Winter Animals
Going on a Letter Hunt
Hibernating Literacy Activity
Going on a Bear Hunt Activities
Going on a Bear Hunt Snack
The Bear Went Over the Mountain
Counting Bear Paws