Bruno Falls Asleep

Steve Pitt is a Toronto-based freelance writer and an award-winning journalist. He has written many young adult and children's books, including Day of the Flying Fox: The True Story of World War II Pilot Charley Fox.

It’s autumn, and all the animals in the forest are preparing for
winter—except Bruno. The young bear wants to play and no one has any
time for him, not even his parents, who are busy stuffing pillows with
fresh fall leaves for their hibernation. First he approaches Alexander
the owl, who promptly falls asleep. Then he follows Edward the moose to
a cranberry bog, where the youngster finds a rowboat and jumps in.
Before Bruno knows it, the boat is rushing down the river and over the
waterfall. As the young bear hits the water, he grabs for a branch
overhead. But the branch is actually Edward’s antlers and the moose
pulls him to safety. Cold, wet, and tired, the cub is now ready to
snuggle into his warm, dry bed and go to sleep.

This latest adventure story in the Bruno series is as charming as the
others, which include Bruno and the Bees (1998), Bruno Springs Up
(1997), and Bruno in the Snow (1994). Especially captivating are
Daigneault’s exquisite illustrations. In Bruno Falls Asleep, vibrant
reds, oranges, and golds warm her autumn scenes; when she adds the
blues, greens, and purples tones of water, the river Bruno sails down
looks like a veritable rainbow. Young readers will delight in her animal
characters, but especially in Bruno, who looks like a cuddly, little
teddy bear. Highly recommended.