The Bear Who Didn't Want To Miss Christmas

PreS-Gr 2—Less than a month away from Christmas, a group of woodland animals are walking through Four Seasons Woods discussing what they hope Santa will bring them. Sitting around a campfire roasting marshmallows, they share with each other what they plan to eat and how they plan to decorate their nests, caves, and burrows. All, that is, except for Little Bear, who tells the others "Christmas isn't for me; I'll be going to bed soon for my long winter's sleep, and once again I'll miss this magical time…" After he leaves, Billy the Badger suggests that the friends celebrate Christmas with Little Bear before he goes to hibernate—an Almost Christmas. The next morning, Big Deer invites Little Bear for a walk, and the other animal friends rush to Little Bear's cave to decorate for the party. When Little Bear returns, he is surprised and happy to celebrate his first Christmas with all his special friends. The illustrations of the adorable animals are reminiscent of the work by Little Golden Book illustrators Gustaf Tenggren and Richard Scarry.