Harold Hates to Hibernate

by Vern Kousky

In the sweet and charming follow-up to the beloved picture book Harold Loves His Woolly Hat, little bear Harold is NOT ready to to go to sleep—and, just like kids everywhere, he makes every attempt to stay awake.Harold loves the springtime flowers. And spending time with friends on summer days. In the fall, he loves the bright, bold colors. But now winter is coming, and Harold will have to go to sleep...only he really doesn't want to. Harold is determined to stay awake. So, with help from his friends the crows, he tries everything—from filling his belly with delicious berries to wearing cozy pajamas to keep him warm. Finally, snow starts to fall, and Harold finds he needs to rest his eyes, just for a minute. When he finally dozes off, the crows return—with his woolly hat—to snuggle up for some winter rest.All kids will see themselves reflected in this sweet, cozy read aloud about bears (ahem, kids) who are NOT ready to go to sleep.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Friendship, Storytime, Childrens, Humor, Birds

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2024

Reviews

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read the preceding title about Harold the Bear and gave it a four. In this title I enjoyed the pencil, pen, and watercolor illustrations that were digitally
manipulated once again proving that digital enhancement can enhance an artist’s work. The three stars are for the illustrations as I wasn’t fond of the story. Seemed as if what I was reading was a small child not wanting to go to bed, not a bear and hibernation story.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of us give little thought to bears and whether all of them willingly go into hibernation. Maybe it's possible that some bears don't want to sleep for that long, just as some little ones try to put off bedtime. In this charming picture book [3.5 for me!], Harold, a friendly bear, enjoys fall's cooler weather, but he worries that his friends, the crows, will have so much fun while he's in his den that they won't remember him at all. Even while the other bears are readying for their long sleep, Harold is looking for ways to keep himself awake. But even with help from those crows, he grows tired and has to give in to some slumber. The double-page spread showing Harold lying down in his pajamas, still insisting that he doesn't "need to hibernate!" illustrates vividly just how determined he is to stay up even though it's clear that it's a lost cause. The crows, of course, prove themselves to be true friends. The repetition of their cries: "CaCaw! CaCaw!" (unpaged) adds great sound effects and drama to the story, making this one a good read aloud or bedtime choice. The striking artwork consists of images created with pencil, pen, watercolor, and digital techniques. Harold's stance on the cover makes quite clear just how determined he is, and the icicles dripping from the word "HIBERNATE" help readers identify the season during which part of the story is set.

[YSBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

What did you like about the book? Harold is a bear who loves the fall and playing with his best friends, 3 crows. The days (and playtime) get shorter and shorter, until other bears mention to Harold in passing that “it’s almost time to hibernate!” But Harold doesn’t want his friends to forget him while he’s “gone,” hibernating all winter; he “has to find a way to stay awake.” Three episodes with a similar structure follow (Harold is hungry, the crows bring a feast; Harold is cold, they bring footed pajamas; Harold’s paws are sore, they bring moss for a bed). As Harold lies down on the comfy bed, he insists, “‘I’m NOT sleepy! I’m WIDE awake!’” though his droopy eyes indicate otherwise. The next spread has a close-up of an angry Harold screaming, “‘I DON’T NEED TO HIBERNATE!’” reminiscent of Mo Willems’ Pigeon’s tantrums. As he starts to sleep, the crows lay a moss blanket over Harold, and he thanks them before they fly off once more. But just when we think that will be the end, the crows return again with a stocking cap and snuggle in alongside him for a nap.

Illustrations are evocative and charming, moving from spreads filled with bright yellows to a more monochromatic palette consistent with the incoming winter and snow. Text is hand-lettered. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harold the bear does not want to hibernate during the winter because he is afraid that his friends the crows will forget him.

This picture book addresses the fear children have of being forgotten or replaced by the people whom they care about.

It also introduces young readers to the concept of hibernation.

The illustrations were done in pencil, pen, and watercolor, which were digitally manipulated.

This is a sequel to Harold Loves His Woolly Hat.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harold of Vern Kousky's Harold Loves His Wooly Hat is back in this sequel. In this story, Harold worries about hibernating for fear his crow friends won't remember him when he wakes up. He does everything he can think of with the help of his friends the Crows. The actions seem to help until hibernation overcomes him in the end. The crows do have a way of letting Harold know that they will always remember him. Kousky's illustrations effectively add to the narrative as Harold tries to stave off rest.

[Sirah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sleeping is boring! Sleeping is no fun. Harold will simply stay awake all winter. The cold doesn't bother him. Nor the hunger. Nor the way the ground is hard under his paws. Really. Not even kidding here.

I might like this Harold story more than its predecessor. I would recommend reading that one first if you plan to read both, as you'll understand the characters better by the end if you know what happened in book 1. But it's fun as a standalone too, and a great bedtime book.

[Bekka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sweet story that continues the antics of Harold the Bear and the crows. Like the first book in the series, it has beautiful art. You don't have to read the first book but it has a really sweet connection to that book.

The random thing I wondered about when reading this was where Harold's mother was?
Regardless, I will likely select this adorable book for story time soon!

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harold the Bear is back and struggling to stay awake so he can continue to play with his friends. The crows help him by aiding in keeping him awake not hibernating. Eventually, Harold can no longer stay awake and the crows tuck him in and even bring his hat. The illustrations capture the action and add to the story.

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars (I really liked it)

This was cute! I hadn't read the first Harold the Bear book (I didn't know it existed until I read other reviews) so I think I'll have to do that now. I love the friendship between Harold and the crows. I think kids might be able to relate to being "wide awake" and not wanting to go to sleep and miss anything. I thought the illustrations were really cute.

[Deke Moulton · Rating 2 out of 5]

The artwork creeped me out. Harold is drawn in a completely different style as the crows. The crows are spherical balls with human eyes and eyelashes. WHY when Harold is drawn in a normal beat shape with small beady eyes?!

The story wasn’t all that great either… and the artwork took away from it entirely.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of Harold's fellow bears tell him it is time to hibernate. But he is afraid his friends, the crows, will forget him if he sleeps all winter. So he decides no hibernating for him! His friends pitch in and help.
First they bring him food. Then clothes for warmth and then a cozy nest to rest. But Harold can't fight hibernation forever! Will the crows still be there when he awakens?

[Jill Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picturebook. Harold the bear doesn’t want to go to sleep and hibernate. He is afraid his friends will forget him. Like a stubborn child he refuses to be sleepy until he slowly gives in. His friends, the crows help him. Cute story but he’s a funny looking bear.

[JoJo Ames · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute illustrations and clever concept about a little bear who doesn't want to hibernate when winter arrives. His friends, the crows, help him with his goal to stay awake. The ending falls a little flat, but it would be a good choice for children who don't object to bedtime.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first book. This one is also sweet, but it doesn't have the same magic the first one has. I like that the crows are an active part of this friendship story, and the progression of the first story to this one makes perfect sense.

[Ann Haefele · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Harold and His Wooly Hat. This is a sequel, but can be read on its own, though it’s good to know about his wooly hat as it makes a reappearance in this book. Illustrations are wonderful, but story is nothing new.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aww....
But the best part of the book is that the crows are the caring & helpful friends, not bad guys. I love that the impressions we have of such critters as wolves, spiders, crows, and lizards are being rehabilitated to be more accurate & respectful.

[Emily Carlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is adorable!!! Poor Harold doesn’t want to sleep and risk that his friends will forget him. The way he mentions needing food and clothes to stay warm…. Before eventually (maybe) sleeping, got me to think of how little kids will ask for all kinds of things before bed.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet story that will make a wonderful bedtime book.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

charming. great fall story. Ideal for kiddos who fight sleep

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darling bedtime story!

[Morgan the Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute! Would be a great bedtime story for the unwilling kids at bedtime. I'll probably come back to this one for sure.

[Rich Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a sweet, well-illustrated story for those who just don’t want to go to sleep. I’d check out others in this series.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Themes: bears, hibernation, friendship
Ages: preK-1st grade
Pub year: 2024

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found in L4L Volume 139.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love a good sleepytime book!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harold the bear does not look like a bear in these illustrations. He looks like a little child resisting bedtime.
Cute book for younger readers/listeners. The crows are good friends.

[Patti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute bedtime story

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just so gosh darn cute!

[Tara DuBose-Schmitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anthropomorphized animals with inter-species benevolence.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute hibernation story.