Customer Reviews

The Legend of Mackinac Island

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is based on the Native American legend of how Mackinac island was formed. It says that long ago, when the waters covered the Earth, and the animals lived happily on the water. The wisest, oldest, and largest painted turtle of them all was Makinauk. one day he came and told the other animals that the Great Spirit of the Sky wanted land to be made, so one of the animals had to go to the bottom of the Ocean, bring back a handful of sand, and place it on Makinauk's back. Can the animals do it? Read this wonderful story written by Kathy-jo Wargin and illustrated by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen to find out!

I was very surprised when I picked up this book. The writer did a very good job of telling her version of how Mackinac Island was made. I loved the illustrator, too. The story of the Great Turtle to many children is very fasinating. My grandchildren love me to read it to them over and over again! The Legend of Sleeping Bear Dunes was not as good as this book.

This book with Kathy-jo's warming and loving way of telling a legend and the fantastic illustrations is truly a treasure. This is a return to the kind of quality children's books we used to have. It is challenging but readable for young children. It manages to teach loyalty and love while entertaining.

I was delighted to see this book available, and even more delighted when I read it. As a professor, I was happy to see that this author shows the tale in the spirit of the old world tales - with simple poetics and vivid emotion. I am an old-fashioned guy, and I have always loved the old stories - this one, although new, is written in the same manner that many stories were written long ago. Bravo!

The first one was great, the second one I like better . The author has captured the magic of Mackinac Island with her beautiful poetry throughout the legend. The last poem that the turtle says to his friends is the essence of the island. I've read many interpretations of how Mackinac Island was created...Ms. Wargins is a fine one The illustrations are wonderful and the characters are truely captivating. Thanks for another great kids book.

Kathy Jo Wargin came to my son's school. We bought both of her books - this one and The Legend of Sleeping Bear. They are beautiful. She is a wonderful storyteller. At age 7 1/2, our son has read both books several times. We also gave a set to my nieces, age 8. Children and adults, especially Michiganders, will love these books.

I leave you with an island home,
my sweet and treasured friends,
forever there upon my back
where splendor never ends.

The legend and folklore of the Great Lakes region tells of Makinauk, the oldest, wisest and largest painted turtle who floated upon a world that was covered entirely by water. Then came the day when the Great Spirit of the Sky told Makinauk that he had to lend his back for the creation of a new world for the animals to rest upon. So Makinauk tells the animals that one of them must dive to the bottom of the sea and bring back a handful of rich soil to place upon his back to become the beginning of a brand new world. This is one of many legends told about the creation of Mackinac Island, but author Kathy-jo Wargin and artist Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen base their version of the ones that comes from Native American history.

This particular version is a triumphant story about friendship and loyalty. Makinauk has promised a speical home upon his weathered back to whoever brings back the soil he needs. So first Loon and then Beaver, followed by Otter all try to fetch back the soil. But they all fail. Then the smallest of Makinauk's friends, Muskrat, decides that he wants to try as well. Wargin tells this story in simple terms, and van Frankenhuyzen supplies rich, colorful paintings. I especially like how the sea in her paintings can be yellow and orange as well as green and blue (they became my justification for rounding up on this one).

Since the late 19th century Mackinac Island has been a popular tourist attraction and summer colony, famous for its lack of automobiles and its Victorian resort hotels (If you have seen the 1980 movie "Somewhere in Time" then you have seen the Grand Hotel with its spectacular 660-foot front porch). Over 82 percent of the island is preserved as Mackinac Island State Park, so any young reader who has ever been there or see it from Mackinac Bridge will find this legend to be pretty interesting.

Wargin point out you can spell Makinauk as Makinak or Makinaak, but the key thing is to always pronounce it "Mak-i-naw" regarldess of the spelling. "The Legend of Sleeping Bear" was the first collaboration between Wargin and van Frankenhuyzen, and this is the second. Since then they have come out with another Native American legend from the Great Lakes area each year, including "The Legend of the Loon," "The Legend of the Lady's Slipper," "The Legend of Leelanau," and "The Legend of the Petoskey Stone." Once you check out one of these volumes, that should be enough to encourage you to check out the rest as well.

This children's book is wonderful for adults as well. Mackinac Island is one of the most beautiful places on earth and its magic is captured with this old indian tale. The illustrations are stunning and the animals come alive on the pages. It should be the children's book for the summer.

Whether or not you have been to Mackinac Island, you cannot help but experience the shimmering magic of that place through the pages of this beautiful book. The poetic words and colorful illustrations transport the reader to a wonderful place and time when the island was born -- by courage and friendship. My children, who have visited the Island, loved this book.

Another enchanting experience with the "legend team". I hope the publishers keep the author and artist busy for many more legends. I love both books but favor the first one. My 4th grade students were inspired by Ms. Wargins writing. Her writing creates so much empathy for her characters that children can feel what they are feeling. The beautiful paintings that accompany the text are like the frosting on the cake. I love the vibrant colors. I had the pleasure of meeting both Mrs. Wargin and Mr. Van Frankenhuzen at a teachers conference in Grand Rapids. They were inspiring. There is only one problem with the author and illustrator...they should be cloned. My school is on a 2 year waiting list to have them visit and do a program. We can hardly wait!