Can't You Sleep, Little Bear?
Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? is a picture book by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Barbara Firth, first published in London by Walker Books in 1988. It is a bedtime story about a little bear who is afraid of the dark. Firth won the 1988 Kate Greenaway Medal for its pictures.
- Editions tracked
- 1
- First edition
- Walker Books, 1988
- First published
- Walker Books, London, 1988
The first edition of Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? by Martin Waddell was published in London by Walker Books in 1988. We track 1 edition.
Which edition do you have?
First edition
- 1st Walker Books1988 Hardback I own Can't You Sleep, Little Bear?, Walker Books 1988 Log in to want this
We have not yet researched the issue points for this book. If you know how to tell the first from later printings, tell us and we will credit you once it is checked against a second source.
Awards, adaptations and setting
In print
- Editions recorded
- 51 on Open Library, 31 in English
- Wikipedia
- Articles in 1 language
From Wikidata and Open Library, both CC0. A prize or a new adaptation often lifts demand for the first printing.
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How to Identify a First Edition
To identify a first edition, check that your copy is the first printing of the first edition. Read the copyright …
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Book condition grading uses a six-step trade scale: Fine, Near Fine, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor. Collectors grade the …
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For most books published since the 1920s, the original dust jacket carries a large share of the value, often most …
Read the guide →Frequently asked questions
Who published the first edition of Can't You Sleep, Little Bear??
The first edition of Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? by Martin Waddell was published in London by Walker Books in 1988.
How many editions of Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? are there?
We track 1 edition of Can't You Sleep, Little Bear?, including 1 first edition. Each has its own page with how to identify it.
Where these facts come from
- Barbara Firth, Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
- Can't You Sleep, Little Bear?, Open Library (openlibrary.org)
- Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? (Q126277514), Wikidata (wikidata.org)
Every fact on this page was checked against the sources listed. Checked 21 October 2026. Reviewed by Harriet Ellis; read how we check facts.