Bedtime, Billy Bear!

by Miriam Moss

Billy Bear has brushed his teeth, had a bath and put on his pyjamas. Tonight is Mum’s pottery class so her friend Lucy is looking after Billy. Lucy reads Billy a story and they sing songs together, but when it’s time for bed Billy just can’t sleep. What can be bothering him?

32 pages, Hardcover

Published August 3, 2007

About the author

Miriam is an award winning author of 75 children's books, both information books and fiction. Her fiction includes picture books, novelty books and poetry, and recently short stories for the adult market. Her books have been translated into over 20 languages.

Miriam has had wide experience of working creatively both with children in schools and libraries, and with adults. She offers lively, innovative large group performances, talks, interactive storytelling sessions, readings, seminars, creative writing and poetry workshops.

She was born in England but also grew up in Africa, The Middle East and China. She taught English for eight years in the UK and Kenya before becoming a writer. She now lives in East Sussex.

Reviews

[Sarah Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about Billy Bear. He has had his bath, put his pyjamas on and is being looked after tonight by a babysitter called Lucy. Mummy bear is going to a pottery class and had asked Katie the babysitter to come round to look after Billy bear. This is a great book to read to children about getting use to having babysitters at their house. It allows them to realise that it is ok to be worried about different things. All Billy Bear needed to do was to tell Katie what was worrying him and it would all go away! This is a book with a great morel to the story and would be good to read with reception children.

[Helen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book made me uneasy on so many levels.

Poor little Bear, who was deeply anxious about his mother going out, fretting so much for her that he was unable to settle and go to sleep at his usual bedtime. Didn't rate Lucie the babysitter. She was brutal, eventually losing her patience with the little bear, threatening to take away his "naughty" comfort rabbit if he didn't go to sleep, and consequently making him cry. He needed comfort, not threats. He was just frightened. Is this really accepted behaviour for how we look after and comfort children when they are anxious and needing their absent mothers?

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, but thought that Billy was a little bit too needy; but I do feel sorry that he missed his mum. I thought it was very funny how Lucy blackmailed Billy to take his rabbit away if he didn't go to sleep, She was a bit hard on him. Recommend this a lot!

[Julia Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing bedtime story book for our daughter. Great illustrations and an easy concept story to follow. Love the perspective of the rabbits “feelings” being Billy’s. Overall a beautiful little story to read

[Alisha Brook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: Bedtime, Billy Bear!
Series: -
Author: Miriam Moss
Genre: Children's
Rating: 3 stars

I read this to my 3yo niece and she enjoyed it. It was a cute little read about a little bear unable to sleep when his mother wasn't home and how his babysitter helped him overcome his (and Rabbit's) fears. It's relatable to many children so it has a great little message.