Introduces animals that live in trees in both temperate woods and rainforests, including squirrels, woodpeckers, fruit bats, tree boas, ocelots, and sloths.
The forest friends all gather to help care for Bear when he feels sick, and when they come down with the same symptoms, the newly recovered Bear returns the favor.
Bear's friends awaken him the day before Christmas and help him to stay awake as they bake fruitcakes, fill stockings, and sing carols; then, while they sleep, he prepares his own surprise.