How Many Sleeps ’til Christmas?

Though they are bears, Daddy Grizzle and Little Pip aren’t hibernating for winter, but there’s still a fair amount of sleeping to be done before Christmas. In the days leading up to Christmas, Little Pip wakes Daddy Grizzle up first thing each morning, certain that the big day has arrived. Each time, Daddy Grizzle reminds his offspring that there are still a few more “sleeps” left before Christmas, and they use the remaining days to find a Christmas tree, send cards, wrap presents, and build snowmen. Braun’s good-natured cartooning and Sperring’s warm prose create a realistic father-and-child relationship between the two bears; Daddy Grizzle gets a tad frustrated with all the false alarms (“No, no, no, not now! Not yet!”), but he never loses his temper outright, and he’s always right at Little Pip’s side for every holiday activity. Ages 3–7. (Sept.)