Karma Wilson

Bear's friends awaken him the day before Christmas and help him to stay awake as they bake fruitcakes, fill stockings, and sing carols; then, while they sleep, he prepares his own surprise.

Though it is winter in the forest, Bear can't sleep and his many animal friends are filled with suggestions to help him get to bed, from hot tea to lullabies.

While taking a walk with Mouse, Bear meets many other friends and sees colors everywhere.

Egged on by a ground squirrel, a dog named Doug digs miles underground--taking a detour through the White House--until he returns home, goes to bed, and dreams of digging some more.

As final preparations are being made for a long-planned surprise party, Bear gets so excited he nearly ruins everything.

Bear and his friends persuade a bashful owl to play with them.

Bear's animal friends come to his rescue when he becomes lost and frightened in the woods.

As friends Bear and Mouse share a day together, Bear counts various objects, from one to five, and the reader is invited to do the same.

In rhyming text, parents express their love for their multicultural babies.

Hilda Hippo tries other, quieter, activities when her jungle friends are disturbed by her dancing, but nothing else makes her happy until Water Buffalo suggests swimming and she finds a new way to express herself.