As the cold weather sets in and the days grow shorter, many animals prepare to take a long winter’s nap. This means it’s the perfect time to teach younger children about hibernation — the lengthy rest many creatures take to survive the cold months.
Children’s books about hibernation are a great addition to any classroom library. From picture books about sleepy bears to stories about squirrels digging up acorns to eat, the many kinds of books in this list are sure to spark curiosity about nature, science, and much more!
Young readers will love following along with the lovable classic Bear Snores On. When Mouse creeps into Bear’s cozy lair looking for relief from the cold, and before long is joined by all the animals, Bear somehow manages to snore on… until he awakes with a giant sneeze! Teachers love this book for its gentle, rhythmic words and fun sequencing, while students will be captivated by the beautiful illustrations.
Check out this fun Hibernation Printable Pack on Scholastic Teachables for grades K–1
The nonfiction favorite, National Geographic Kids Readers: Sleep, Bear! follows a cute bear cub and its family through the seasons as they prepare to hibernate for the winter. Packed with fascinating photos, young readers will also be introduced to vocabulary in concept groups, helping them make connections between words and expanding their understanding of the world.
Fun Creative Writing Prompts About Hibernation
Once you’ve finished reading and your students have learned about how animals prepare for their winter rest, invite them to further explore the topic through writing. The writing prompts below will help your students connect what they’ve observed about hibernation to their own creative thinking.
1. Would you like to hibernate? Why or why not?
2. If you had to hibernate for the winter, what would you pack to bring to your den?
3. If you could only bring 3 books to your hibernation home, which ones would you bring and why?
4. Draw and write about your ideal hibernation home.
5. If you could only bring one type of food to your hibernation home, what would you bring and why?
6. If you could eat any meal before hibernating, what would you eat and why?
7. If you could only bring one luxury item to your den, what would you bring and why?
8. What would you miss the most about the outside world while you hibernate?
9. Pretend you’re an animal who hibernates. What would you say to your family and friends before you go to sleep?
10. What would you dream about if you slept all winter long?
11. What would be the first thing you do after awaking from your long winter nap?
Shop for hibernation books, stories about migrating animals, and more below. You can find all books and resources at The Teacher Store.