Customer Reviews

The Legend of Sleeping Bear

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

...the dance of shadow and warn red light on the sand and water or Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore at sunset.

Last year Sleeping Bear, through the wonder of camping, became my home away from home. It has earned a place within my heart. I long to return.

"The Legend of" books by Kathy-Jo Wargin and Gijsbert Van Frankenhuyzen are consistent in their excellence. The artwork and prose sings. Each volume provides a glimpse of a world that has moved on, but which still puts forth rippling echoes.

The Legend of Sleeping Bear and The Legend of Leelanau are the high points in this most meritorious series. Of the two, I prefer the one reviewed here. Its text is not quite as lengthy. Therefore, it is more likely to keep the attention of young readers/listeners.

The Legend of Sleeping Bear captures the tender majesty of the Sleeping Bear region while painting a fantastic picture of the legend surrounding its origin. One cannot help being moved by this story of love.

Governor Granholm gave out copies of it at her inauguration.

I give this book a very high recommendation. If you can, visit the region. It is a truly beautiful place.

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!

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.

The legend of sleeping bear is a sad story. But it is a great legend.

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!

seriously. i read this book last night because i will be writing a review for a periodical. i am in my twenties and i cried for several hours.

the artwork is fantastic, and that alone gets three stars, but please be aware that you should read this book first to make sure that your children can handle it. a mother bear and her babies must swim for their lives in the middle of the night. the babies drown and the mother bear waits by the shore of the lake-- season after season until she eventually dies with a broken heart! sure sure, there's some after death spiritual reunion, but it wasn't enough to keep me from weeping terribly until well into the morning.

i couldn't even sleep with this book in my house, so i just put it outside and will try to sleep again... eventually.

By the time I put this book down I had tears streaming down my face. This book is so beautiful and appropriately written that you almost forget this book is about a bear and moreso feel like it is about you and the children in your life. The Sleeping Bear Dunes are one of my most favorite places to visit and now I cannot wait to go back and climb the dunes knowing the legend behind them.
The book is sad, but I think it is more sad to adults who more fully comprehend the loss that Mother Bear is feeling. The way the author describes how long she waited for her cubs looking out into the water, waiting from season to season, is just tremendous. The artwork is so beautiful and appropriate for the content of the book.
By the end of this book you are going to want to take a trip out to the Dunes to see them yourself. I highly recommend that as well.

The Legend of Sleeping Bear is a book and keepsake for the entire family. It is a touching portrayal of a mother's unconditional love for her children. It also serves to tell the wonderful Indian folktale about the unique environmental characteristics of NW Michigan.