Over the snow, the world is hushed and white, but under the snow is a secret world of squirrels and snowshoe hares, bears and bullfrogs, and many others who live outside in the woods during the winter.

Worried that they will not have enough dreams for their upcoming winter hibernation, Little Bear journeys into the woods and collects dreams of happiness, homecoming, and hope from the different animals in the forest.

When Bear notices that winter is nearly here he hurries to tell Snail, after which each animal tells another until finally the already sleeping Bear is awakened in his den with the news.

Illustrations and rhyming text reveal various places in which such animals as chipmunks and bears sleep during the cold and snow of winter.

As winter's chill spreads, different animals settle into their cozy homes for a long sleep.

Bear, with the help of his animal friends, remembers the story he had hoped to tell before the onset of winter.

At the end of the day a little boy falls asleep as his mama reads about a bear hibernating.

While searching for a new place to hibernate, Bernard the bear disrupts the homes of several forest animals.

Still looking for a place to hibernate, Papa Bear follows Baby Bear to a cruise ship, and winds up on a tropical island.

"Bear is supposed to sleep through the winter, but he doesn't want to miss out on any of the fun. Fortunately, Mama Duck comes up with a plan that will help everyone have the perfect winter"--