The Legend of the Old Man of the Mountain (Legend (Sleeping Bear)) [Hardcover]

Denise Ortakales (Author), Robert Crawford (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 22, 2004 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Legend (Sleeping Bear)

For centuries, the Great Stone Face has kept silent watch from Cannon Mountain, high above the Pemigewasset River. But who is the onlooker and for whom does he keep vigil? Though from warring tribes, Mohawk maiden Minerwa enchants Chief Pemigewasset, and with their union comes peace for many years. But when Minerwa leaves to visit her dying father, Pemigewasset must stay behind. Denise Ortakales recounts the legend of Chief Pemigewasset, whose steadfast love and devotion to his wife is forever honored in his profile on the mountainside.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-5–Initially, this seems like an eloquently written and beautifully illustrated folktale on the origin of a famous geographical feature long considered symbolic of New Hampshire. To summarize, beloved Chief Pemigewasset was immortalized in the cliff-face after waiting in vain, until death, for his wife's return from a long journey. Unfortunately, this is just another in the long line of romantic stories masquerading as indigenous oral traditions. Despite the Indians-as-relics message reinforced by the opening lines, there are many Abenaki people alive and telling stories today, but Ortakales mentions no consultation with any of them (or even any scholarly source) in her introductory note. Instead, she presents her version only as one of "many yarns and tall tales," rendering contemporary Natives voiceless in their own traditions, and inventing substitutes. The illustrator, on the other hand, cites a couple of scholarly institutions in his own acknowledgments. Although the clothing seems too refined for the suggested time period, Crawford's research pays off handsomely in the detail of the wigwams. Ignorant outsiders may well love this book, but readers of indigenous Northeastern cultures will likely spot this title for the fake lore that it is. Love and loyalty to one's spouse is laudable in any culture but, among most American Indian cultures, anyone who waited alone on a hilltop in the dead of winter for someone's return would be considered bizarre, not revered after starving and freezing to death. Readers waiting for an authentic story about the Old Man should beware his fate.–Sean George, Memphis-Shelby County Public Library & Information Center, Memphis, TN
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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press; 1 edition (September 22, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585362360
• ISBN-13: 978-1585362363
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,360,136 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm an author and illustrator of children's books. My medium of choice is paper sculpture--a 3-dimensional relief made from cut paper. Why? Because I like to get my fingers sticky! Just kidding, but I've always enjoyed being crafty--cutting and pasting--so voila!

Most of my books were written by other people, but one--The Legend of the Old Man of the Mountain--I wrote. I'm currently working on (writing) other picture books and two middle-grade novels. Hopefully you will see them listed here soon!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A powerful and moving tale of unyielding devotion, May 14, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Legend of the Old Man of the Mountain (Legend (Sleeping Bear)) (Hardcover)

Enhanced throughout with the memorable artwork of Robert Crawford, Denise Ortakales' The Legend Of The Old Man Of The Mountain recounts the legendary story of the Mohawk Indian Chief Pemigewasset and his love for the maiden Minerwa. The marriage of the chief and his wife brought peace for many years. But when Minerwa left to visit her dying father, Chief Pemigewasset had to stay behind. He waited steadfast, devoted to her, yet she did not return. When winter fell he continued to wait despite the bitter cold, and though his people feared for him, he would not go back on his word to Minerwa. At last the Great Spirit claimed the chief; his people buried him facing in the direction Minerwa had left, so that he could gaze upon her when she returned. Amazingly, the very profile of Pemigewasset became immortalized within the cliff, and his visage gazes out to this day. A powerful and moving tale of unyielding devotion, strikingly illustrated in cool tones.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, May 12, 2005

By 

Cynthia Lord (Maine) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Legend of the Old Man of the Mountain (Legend (Sleeping Bear)) (Hardcover)

Beautiful illustrations complement this wonderfully-told tale of NH's Old Man in the Mountain. Highly recommended!