Mika: The Bear Who Didn’t Want to Sleep

In this striking offering from Dutch artist Kriek, a young bear longs to experience a natural phenomenon. After hearing about the Northern Lights from an old owl, bear cub Mika settles down to hibernate, but once his parents are asleep, he tiptoes out to see whether he can spot the dramatic sky show. In Kriek’s birch- and spruce-studded forest scenes—they have the look of midcentury national park posters—Mika’s search introduces him to a series of familiar forest animals (“Hello, wolf. Do you know where I can find the Northern Lights?”). An encounter with a wolverine is the only tense moment, though the story also includes a solemn warning for readers who might be tempted by solo expeditions (“You should never just sneak outside like that,” says Papa. “Luckily we saw your paw prints in the snow”). In a final climactic spread, the whole bear family witnesses the greenish-blue light dancing across the sky. The illustrations’ retro style and the story’s earnest tone recall classic library favorites and provide just the right amount of bedtime excitement. Ages 3–5. [em](Oct.) [/em]