Sneeze, Big Bear, Sneeze!

Maureen Wright and Will Hillenbrand have collaborated once again (Sleep,Big Bear, Sleep), giving us another whimsical look at the changing seasons courtesy of a Big Bear who just doesn't hear very well. Poor Bear has a bad case of the sneezes and thinks that its his big ACHOOS! that make the leaves and the apples fall from the trees, and the geese fly south. The Autumn Wind tries to tell him that she's the one doing it, but Bear just doesn't get the message until The Wind finally loses her temper and manages to get his attention. The book ends with dear Bear hiding his head and going to sleep - hopefully for a good long winter nap.

This book has a great read aloud flow, making it perfect for preschool story time groups. Anytime you have a story with so many Achoos! in it, you are guaranteed a good time. Kids will likely laugh at the site of Bear trying to tack leaves back on the trees and pile apples back on the branches. Will Hillenbrand's illustrations are as charming as ever. His portrayal of the Autumn Breeze is priceless, especially when she pronounces in a most grandiose manner "I DO IT ALL - I'M THE AUTUMN BREEZE!" This is just a charming little look at fall that parents and story group leaders will enjoy reading to their kids. I can't wait to see what trouble Bear can get into when Spring rolls around. So retire some of those old fall picture books and make way for Bear. He deserves a spot on any preschooler's shelf.

Great book. My kids giggle and fake sneeze every time we read it.

Such a cute book and the kids really get into the story. Fun way to learn about the change of seasons

Love this series of books! Fabulous illustrations, and wonderful story line. Highly recommend these!

A wonderful book, grandson loves it.

Great Book

Sweet story the kids enjoy.

Although I don't find anything extremely offensive in this book, it just want that spectacular. I feel like the mood of the book is angrier than necessary. The wind had such a bad, angry attitude when the plot could have been the same with a silly or funny outlook instead. The book ends with the bear being scared of nature, something I don't want my children to latch onto.

The story seems a little forced as a follow-up to "Sleep, Big Bear, Sleep" but Hillenbrand's illustrations again bring us the loveable antics of Big Bear and his rabbit friend. Since any child who has the first book read to them at bedtime immediately falls in love with it, I don't see how you can avoid the second book just to see what Bear is up to next. If there were a third I would buy it today for my four year old.

Super cute story!