I Don't Wanna Hibernate!

by Anna Ouchchy, Raahat Kaduji (illustrator)

In this cozy picture book, it's time to hibernate—but our little groundhog is NOT sleepy. So she tries to stay up all winter . . . and almost misses Groundhog Day!

As snow gently blankets the land, the Groundhogs prepare for their long, snuggly hibernation. But little Tess is wide awake!

Tess's parents try everything to get her to sleep, but she knows every trick in the book. When Mommy and Daddy fall asleep without her, will Tess be able to stay up all winter? Or will she snore her way through Groundhog Day?

Join Tess in this wintery bedtime story perfect for readers who are wide awake when the rest of their world is sleepy.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Holiday, Juvenile, Storytime, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published January 7, 2025

Reviews

[Christian Schultheiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can I just gush for a moment about how wonderful and sweet the literation of this little book is. I mean since I’ve checked it out for my little guy from the library we’ve read it nice and slow during bed/nap time to really emphasize its shared traits with hibernation and sleep, but also in the most cute and exciting way you can sing rhyme the whole book fast and full of energy to squeeze out a few giggles and really stir up your little ones excitement, a home run Anna. 4.75/5

[Stephanie Lucianovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun take on convincing a child to go bed. Rhyming text pairs wonderfully with cozy, enchanting illustrations. It's enough to make me want crawl into my own soft bed and hibernate right now! A great bedtime addition to any bookshelf.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love the illustrations in this adorable, rhyming, bedtime picture book. Great for Groundhog Day too.

[Amanda Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet and gentle rhyming text with soft illustrations that combine for a delightful twist on the classic bedtime story that is perfect for reluctant sleepers and ever so relatable to their caregivers! Readers also get to learn more about Tess and her groundhog family’s hibernation cycle!

[Meneka Repka · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect book for busy littles for whom hibernation time always arrives too early! Tess the groundhog has far too much energy to sleep just yet; there are books to read, toys to play with, and beds to jump on…Why sleep when you can make a snow-groundhog instead? Relatable and charming, Anna Ouchchy’s rhyming story will have readers engaged until the very last page. Raahat Kaduji’s masterful illustrations perfectly capture a sleepy winter above the cozy groundhog burrow. The scenes are rendered so beautifully, with a gorgeous blue and brown palette and adorable characters.

[Mariana Ríos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an adorable book that both kids and parents will be able to relate to and enjoy.

Tess, a little groundhog, doesn't want to hibernate. Mom and dad will try everything to get her to sleep but Tess is just not tired. What will happen when Groundhog Day comes along? Will she be awake by then?

With clever and sweet rhyming text and cute engaging illustrations, this is a book that will delight kids in homes, schools, and libraries.

[Teri Drobnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, sweet story about the relatable situation of a child not wanting to go to sleep. Told in rhyme, the story is about a groundhog with much too much energy to hibernate, until...
A perfect bedtime story.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a smart and beautiful book, with a gentle sense of humor. Raahat Kaduji’s whimsical, cozy illustrations will draw readers in, and Anna Ouchchy’s lively poetry will make them feel right at home. This book is full of educational opportunities—such as rhyme, onomatopoeia, dialogue, biological processes—while still feeling light and moving along at an engaging and enjoyable pace. I appreciated how both author and illustrator show the parents’ teamwork, and I adored the story’s sweet, unexpected twist. I Don’t Wanna Hibernate is the kind of book that parents will enjoy at least as much as the kids.

[Monisha Bajaj · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Don’t Wanna Hibernate! explores the timeless frustration of bedtime through Tess, a young groundhog determined to stay awake all winter while her family prepares to hibernate. The narrative cleverly mirrors childhood resistance to sleep, using playful rhymes that can either energize or soothe, depending on how they’re delivered—a useful literary device to engage both readers and listeners. The book is deceptively simple, yet layered—exploring themes of autonomy, empathy, and timing. Tess’s procrastination almost causes her to miss Groundhog Day, delivering a subtle lesson about the consequences of one’s choices!

[Kelsey Gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I DON’T WANNA HIBERNATE is a delightful bedtime story about a little groundhog who doesn’t want to go to sleep – a topic that will be so relatable for kids and parents! The rhyming text is packed with onomatopoeia and a joy to read aloud, and the illustrations of the groundhog characters are engaging and kid-friendly. This book would be ideal for reading at bedtime and can start educational discussions about hibernation and different animals that hibernate. This book is a wonderful addition to any children’s bookshelf!

[Jen Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parent readers will recognize little Tess's antics as she refuses ot only to go to sleep, but to hibernate! Young readers will sympathize - of course she doesn't want to sleep for 3 months and miss all the fun! I like how the author leaves both readers with a lesson - parents, sometimes you just gotta accept defeat (while also knowing that, hey, the kid will fall asleep) and kids, is it really worth it to try to stay awake and then oversleep to the point that you miss your one and only big event? May be the perfect story for that bedtime struggle. It's worth a try!

[Hillary Wolfe · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this children's book it is more of a fairytale type of story. It is about a little groundhog that is having a hard time sleeping. Tess the groundhog and her family are preparing for winter when Tess decides she is going to try and stay up all winter. Nothing would help, lullabies stories, nothing. When her parents pretend to fall asleep, Tess tucks them into bed and while doing so, falls asleep herself. While in her deep sleep, she misses Groundhog Day! This is a fun, silly story that little kids would love!

[Kellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun rhyming story that blends bedtime battles, hibernation, and the lead up to Groundhog's Day all into one! Tess does not want to hibernate, but it's not all her fault. She can't help that her toys won't let her hibernate or that there's so much to do in winter! The illustrations are adorable and cozy -- another perfect blend! Great for bedtime, an introduction to hibernating animals, and (of course) the tradition around Groundhog's Day!

[Sabrina Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had the pleasure of reading an early ARC for this and it is the CUTEST!
With a snappy rhyme structure, I can totally see myself reading this as a bedtime story to my daughter.
Anna has gone a great job with the little character groundhog (definitely a kid I know who won't go to sleep), as well as the tired parents.
Raahat Kaduji has some beautiful whimsical illustrations that really compliment the book.

[Kate Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sweetest book, sure to become a bedtime favorite! The delightful rhyme, the relatable characters, and the whimsical illustrations will keep parents and kids engaged for multiple readings. While providing plenty of opportunity to discuss the science of hibernation, the book also provides a humorous approach to nighttime rituals. I can well imagine families replacing calls to go to bed with calls to hibernate – putting a playful spin on what can be a sometimes tortuous experience!

[Caroline Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is adorable and so relatable for any child who's ever resisted bedtime, and every parent who's dealt with pre-sleep battles! Told in bouncy rhyme, the story centers around a groundhog who's determined to avoid hibernation, but her sleep-aversion almost causes her to miss the biggest day in a groundhog's calendar. Paired with inviting illustrations, this is a great addition to any home or school library shelf.

[Gabriella Aldeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable new take on the bedtime story. Readers will fall in love with Tess, who has a million and one reasons to stay awake and have fun. Parents will get a chuckle and connect with Mommy and Daddy Groundhog. I love it when they give up and say, "We're exhausted. We are done. See you later. You have fun." Funny, adorable, and relatable. It makes for a great read aloud and a prefect gift for families, whether it's groundhog day or not.

[Sandra Headen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book! A great read and a refreshing take on a familiar bedtime story. A groundhog does not want to go to bed and in his world, that means not hibernating! My jaws ached from smiling as I read the book and at times, I just laughed out loud. Fortunately, the fun subsides and the little one eventually goes to dreamland. Worth reading over and over again!

[Jany Campana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little ones will delight in the bedtime story, I DON'T WANNA HIBERNATE! Little Tess, the groundhog, doesn't want to hibernate. She longs to stay up and play. Tess tries every trick she knows to stay awake. But time eventually time brings on big yawns. Now the problem is: Will Tess wake up in time for Groundhog's Day? A true instant classic to be passed down from generation to generation.

[Jenny Bowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parents and children will delight in this sweet bedtime story about little Tess, the groundhog, who does not want to hibernate! She tries everything to stay awake, but will Tess be too tired to wake up in time for Groundhog Day? With rhyme and lyrical language that rolls off the tongue, this adorable story is fun to read aloud and is sure to become a bedtime favorite.

[SUSANA · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I Don't Wanna Hibernate!" is a beautifully crafted picture book, from the way the author plays with words to compose wonderful rhymes any child and parent would love, to the illustrations which bring the sweetness of the characters alive. This is a great picture book for parents and children to find characters to relate to. I cannot wait to read it to my child, it is a classic bedtime story.

[Della Ferreri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, what a fun, fresh bedtime story! I Don't Wanna Hibernate is so relatable for parents of children who delay going to bed with all their charming shenanigans. Told in perky rhyme, this delightful picture book will have little ones smiling at Tess's antics and pouring over the sweet illustrations.

[Carrie Kruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable! A wonderfully fresh take on the classic bedtime book, about a little groundhog who is not ready to sleep...for the whole winter! (Her poor exhausted parents, lol.) The rhyme is lovely, but my favorite part is the wonderful onomatopoeia such as "boing! sproing!" that kids will LOVE to repeat. I chucked at the surprise holiday tie-in at the end :)

[HELEN ZAX · Rating 5 out of 5]

I DON'T WANNA HIBERNATE cleverly couches bedtime issues in a charming, rhyming tale about a little groundhog who refuses to hibernate. After a rollicking, exhausting array of bedtime ploys by his parents, the little groundhog finally succumbs to sleep—hardly able to wake on Groundhog’s Day. A delightful bedtime read!

[Jessica Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every child (and parent of said child) who doesn't want to go to sleep at bedtime will relate to this adorable picture book! The fun, rhyming text and vibrant illustrations draw you in as little Tess (a groundhog) resists her parents' attempts to tuck her into bed to hibernate. Cute twist! Kids will enjoy this one!

[Maria Wen Adcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book written in rhyme, the main character does not want to hibernate and fights off Dad and Mom's efforts to help him go to sleep. The story parallels children not wanting to nap or go to bed at night -- it's something both kids and their parents will be able to relate to. It's a sweet, humorous story that kids will want to read over and over again!

[Blair Northen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I DON'T WANNA HIBERNATE! is a picture book that I know my kids will love. It is such a cute and clever tale of Tess, who doesn't want to sleep! Instead, she wants to play! This is such a relatable story for kids who also don't want to stay in bed. I really enjoyed the whimsical, beautiful, vibrant, and calming illustrations that made me feel cozy and warm!

[Moniza Hossain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adorable book is about a naughty little groundhog who refuses to hibernate. Her parents try all kinds of tricks to get her to sleep, but she keeps refusing to go to bed. The story is written in rhyme, and makes for a very fun bedtime read. The illustrations are as cosy and adorable as the story.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you have a child that doesn't want to go to bed? This book is the best bedtime story for that child. Tess is a groundhog that doesn't want to go to bed, but her parents do. The gentle rhyming text has a humorous spin that will delight kids as they journey with Tess. This book is sure to become a bedtime favorite.

[Jenna Waldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

These groundhogs are adorable! I Don’t Want to Hibernate is such a cute and relatable story for parents and children alike. My favorite part is when little Tess puts her parents to sleep in a really sweet role reversal. With fun bouncy language by Ouchchy, and playful art by Kaduji, this is a great choice for a bedtime read.