“By the time Old Bear fell asleep for the winter, it was snowing hard.” A subdued late-autumn palette shows Old Bear curled up snugly on the opening spread of this spare and lovely picture book. But soon Old Bear is dreaming of spring, and in his sleep he is a young bear again, frolicking in colorful flowers. Old Bear’s journey through the seasons and into his youth continues as he sleeps. When he finally awakens, it is to a world made new again by the real arrival of spring, and Old Bear is ready to enjoy it. Warm, inviting watercolor and ink illustrations convey a sense of quiet and of celebration in the beauty of nature in a gentle, wonderfully paced story that packs rich descriptions into a handful of carefully chosen words on each page. Highly Commended, 2009 Charlotte Zolotow Award (Ages 2–6)