Illustrated by Jennifer Harney

On Sale: Nov 11, 2025
Page Count: 40 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ISBN-13: 9780316567596

$18.99

$24.99 CAD

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Hardcover

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Hardcover $18.99 $24.99 CAD

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The classic “bear hibernation” story is turned on its head in this hilarious read-aloud full of surprises, perfect for a cozy winter read and story time year-round!

This is was supposed to be a sleepy bear book—a gentle, quiet story. Until Bear opened his cozy, quiet den, only to find—A DJ and a disco ball? Guitar riffs and a booming bass? A random jazz flute?Stop all these shenanigans! THIS ISN’T WHAT HAPPENS IN A SLEEPY BEAR BOOK!

Things only get noisier and more chaotic with every turn of the page. Winking at storytime conventions in a way that’ll crack kids up, This Is Not a Sleepy Bear Book combines classic bedtime story tropes with visual, giggle-worthy surprises that offer a memorable twist and a great read-aloud.

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Brian Gehrlein is the author of The Book of Rules, illustrated by Tom Knight. He’s also the creator of the website Picture Book Spotlight. Brian teaches high school English and lives in a cozy den in Liberty, Missouri, with his wife, Katherine; two sons, Peter and Albee; and their two corgis. Brian invites you to find him on social media @briangehrlein or say hello at pbspotlight.com.

* "The pacing is pitch-perfect.... The zany humor of the story resolves with almost surprising tenderness and lessons about friendship and flexibility."
Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"[A] humorously told, wonderfully illustrated tale that reminds readers of all ages it’s okay to balance doing what needs to be done with having lots of fun."
BookPage, starred review
"Guaranteed to garner giggles."
BCCB
"Children will love the surprise ending and the expressive characters in this silly hibernation story."
School Library Journal

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Brian Gehrlein

About the Author

Brian Gehrlein is the author of The Book of Rules, illustrated by Tom Knight. He’s also the creator of the website Picture Book Spotlight. Brian teaches high school English and lives in a cozy den in Liberty, Missouri, with his wife, Katherine; two sons, Peter and Albee; and their two corgis. Brian invites you to find him on social media @briangehrlein or say hello at pbspotlight.com.

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Jennifer Harney

About the Illustrator

Jennifer Harney has illustrated several picture books, including This is Not a Sleepy Bear Book by Brian Gehrlein, How Dinosaurs Went Extinct: A Safety Guide by Ame Dyckman, and How to Become a Knight (in Ten Easy Lessons) by Todd Tarpley. She is the author and illustrator of Underwear! and Swim, Duck, Swim!. Jenn lives in Cleveland, Ohio, with her husband, her daughter, a corgi named Steve, and the ghost of the oldest living goldfish in North America.

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Brian Gehrlein

About the Author

Jennifer Harney

About the Illustrator