The Big Dreaming
Published on 9. October 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
32 pages
978-1-4088-8328-0 (ISBN)
Description
A GUARDIAN BEST CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR
**'A picture book of sublime warmth and comfort' - Guardian**
**'Gorgeous' - Observer**
**'A simply beautiful book for young children' - The i Newspaper**
The Cold is coming, and it's time for Big Bear and Little Bear to get ready for the Big Sleep - for bears sleep all winter long, and wake up in the spring. But Little Bear is worried. What if they run out of dreams during the Big Sleep?
And so, Little Bear sets out bravely to find enough dreams to see them through the long winter. On his journey, he discovers dreams of happiness; dreams of homecoming; and dreams of hope.
But with the Cold approaching fast, will Little Bear make it back home in time for the Big Dreaming?
A resonant and uplifting tale from a master storyteller, The Big Dreaming is a classic in the making, filled with luminous illustrations by award-winning Daniel Egneus.
**'A picture book of sublime warmth and comfort' - Guardian**
**'Gorgeous' - Observer**
**'A simply beautiful book for young children' - The i Newspaper**
The Cold is coming, and it's time for Big Bear and Little Bear to get ready for the Big Sleep - for bears sleep all winter long, and wake up in the spring. But Little Bear is worried. What if they run out of dreams during the Big Sleep?
And so, Little Bear sets out bravely to find enough dreams to see them through the long winter. On his journey, he discovers dreams of happiness; dreams of homecoming; and dreams of hope.
But with the Cold approaching fast, will Little Bear make it back home in time for the Big Dreaming?
A resonant and uplifting tale from a master storyteller, The Big Dreaming is a classic in the making, filled with luminous illustrations by award-winning Daniel Egneus.
Reviews / Votes
A simply beautiful book for young children * The i Newspaper * Daniel Egneus's atmospheric woodland illustrations are the ideal accompaniment to Michael Rosen's gorgeous, lyrical text * The Observer * Be ready to share a dream with the little one who asks you to read this * Kirkus US * Egneus's loose watercolors are gorgeous and will make readers feel as if they are in a forest ... A solid purchase for any preschool collection * School Library Journal * This contemplative and comforting picture book is about hibernation but also dreams and hope * Bookseller * Rosen's words and Egneus' lovely pictures combine to create a soothing tale that will be welcomed in autumn or at bedtime in any season of the year * Booklist * Egneus's light-dappled illustrations pair seamlessly with Rosen's simple, moving text to create a picture book of sublime warmth and comfort * Guardian, Best Children's Books of the YEar *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: Up to 5 years
Dimensions
Height: 274 mm
Width: 244 mm
Thickness: 5 mm
Weight
198 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4088-8328-0 (9781408883280)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Michael Rosen is a beloved British children's author, poet, presenter, broadcaster and activist who has written over 140 books, including the beloved classic We're Going on a Bear Hunt. He served as the United Kingdom's Children's Laureate from 2007 to 2009 and is a Professor of Children's Literature at Goldsmith's, University of London.
www.michaelrosen.co.uk
Twitter: @MichaelRosenYes
Daniel Egneus is a prolific artist who has illustrated numerous books, including several Neil Gaiman titles and the much-loved picture book, Be Wild, Little One by Olivia Hope. He is also a well-regarded fashion artist, regularly illustrating for the likes of Chanel, H&M, Nike, and many more. He is based in Athens, Greece.
Twitter and Instagram: @danielegneus
www.michaelrosen.co.uk
Twitter: @MichaelRosenYes
Daniel Egneus is a prolific artist who has illustrated numerous books, including several Neil Gaiman titles and the much-loved picture book, Be Wild, Little One by Olivia Hope. He is also a well-regarded fashion artist, regularly illustrating for the likes of Chanel, H&M, Nike, and many more. He is based in Athens, Greece.
Twitter and Instagram: @danielegneus