The Legend of Sleeping Bear

I have 2 small children and getting through this without making a blubbering fool of myself was almost impossible! After reading this, I sent my kids off and had a good cry. A very good story though - and being from Michigan - I just love all these books!

Sleeping Bear Press creates some pretty amazing picture books! Their signature picture book is The Legend Of The Sleeping Bear. Wow! What a superb book! The illustrations make this legend even more powerful. Gijsbert Van Frankenhuyzen's paintings are truly that - paintings. The book has the feel of an art museum...such high quality paintings of wildlife and bears and landscapes.My second graders were captivated by this picture book...it was much sought after, after I read it aloud.Buy this book!

Text and illustrations combine to create a touching and heart-breaking story about that most timeless of relationships - a mother's dedication to her children. "The Legend of Sleeping Bear" should be included in every family's literature collection, for it teaches us about loyalty and commitment, life and death. I would urge caution, however, with younger readers. While beautiful and poignant, "The Legend of Sleeping Bear" may confuse or scare toddlers/pre-schoolers. This book should be used to initiate thoughtful discussions with older children.

In this story, of a daring escape and journey, a mother bear's touching loyalty and dedication to her cubs is shared. The Sleeping Bear was originally an Ojibwe legend. It will now, through this book, be preserved as a timeless part of Michigan's culture and history for future generations. One's imagination is sparked by the poetic nature of the text and the bold, but soothing, colors of the illustrations. The story is simply stated with vivid, rich language. The brilliant colors and detailing of the illustrations serve the reader well in capturing both the sadness of the legend and the celebration of loyalty. This story will touch the hearts of readers and open their minds to the powerful and emotional heritage of legends in general. I discovered this book while on vacation and picked it up to share with my children. After visiting the Sleeping Bear National Park, the story truly became real and part of a wonderful summer memory.

This is a very moving story about a mother bear and her two cubs who swim across Lake Michigan to escape a fire in Wisconsin. Mother bear makes it across but her cubs are lost, later to be reborn as the two Manitou Islands, a legend retold and illustrated beautifully. A book to own and treasure always for both adults as well as children.