Summers with the Bears: Six Seasons in the North Woods [Paperback]

Jack Becklund (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 14, 2000

In the animal-loving tradition of James Herriot, this delightful story, now in paperback, explores the relationship between man and one of natures smartest, most interesting, and sensitive creaturesthe black bearand how this experience enriched two peoples lives. Poignant and entertaining, and enhanced by photos that reveal a unique and amazing friendship, Summers with the Bears is a fascinating chronicle of what happens when humans and wild animals cross the boundaries into each others world.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A sharp eye and clear prose make Becklund's account of his and his wife's friendship with a group of black bears a delightful, heartwarming read. When Jack and Patti Becklund moved from Florida back to a creek-side A-frame in Jack's hometown of Grand Marais, Minn., they both subscribed to the philosophy that "bears were most useful when turned into bearskin rugs." But after they found a lonely yearling eating the sunflower seeds they had set out for the birds, their hearts were stolen. A few pans of seeds later, Patti made friends with the cub, naming her Little Bit, and soon the Becklunds had as many as 12 yearlings and adult bears tussling in the grass of their backyard (and eating up to 700 pounds of corn in a summer). Their yard had become a sanctuary from the area's hunters, a place to fatten up before the next winter. Jack's keen observations track the bears' growth and development over six summers, but the centerpiece is the unique friendship the Becklunds developed with Little Bit. Becklund's prose occasionally turns sentimental, but most readers will forgive him for that: one day Little Bit "nuzzled Patti's hand, as she often did when she wanted to be hand-fed... Patti picked up the nuts... [but] because of very low blood pressure, she'd become dizzy and her hand was shaking. Little Bit saw her hand.... She lifted her large paw, cupped it beneath Patti's hand, and actually held her hand steady while gently picking the nuts up with her mouth." Stories like these would be hard to believe if they weren't corroborated by the 42 b&w photos that grace the text.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

This is a delightful and warm tale of Becklund's experiences with black bears. When he and his wife moved from Florida to Minnesota, they found their home on Elbow Creek, near Grand Marais, to be deep in bear country. First attracted to the Becklunds' deck by the bird-feeding stations, Little Bit, a very young bear, befriended Jack and Patti for six seasons. They watched her mature and, over the seasons, return with her own young. Throughout these years, other bears also established relationships, but none so special as the one with Little Bit. Becklund does not advocate bears as pets and never tried to "tame" any of the bears that made their acquaintance?this message is clear. But also clear is the extraordinary opportunity the Becklunds were afforded to observe, learn about, understand, and cherish bears. When Little Bit did not return, they decided to stop putting out seeds, and eventually the bears ceased their visits. Illustrated with enchanting photos, this is an enjoyable read. For public libraries.?Nancy J. Moeckel, Miami Univ. Libs., Oxford, OH
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; Reprint edition (June 14, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786885378
• ISBN-13: 978-0786885374
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #873,426 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #33 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Field Guides > Mammals
  • #98 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Animals > Bears

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book about what black bears are truly like., August 10, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Summers with the Bears: Six Seasons in the North Woods (Hardcover)

This is a book written with honesty and modesty. Just when you think you know what you're talking about where bears are concerned, they prove you wrong...over and over again. I have been involved in black bear research in Minnesota for over 11 years. It made me laugh out loud and cry. It brought back memories and experiences that I thought very few people would understand. You are are two people who do understand. To this day, I have your photo of "conversation with a bear" from the Herald on my desk next to some of my own favorite bear photos. Everyday it makes me smile. Thank you Jack and Patty for this wonderful book. I will cherish it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book I ever read!!!!, August 21, 2000

By 

Kathy (Upstate, NY (USA)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Summers with the Bears: Six Seasons in the North Woods (Hardcover)

Summer with the bears is by far the best book I've ever read. If you don't have it or haven't read it do so now. It will change your life in some way I'm sure. I first read about it in the Reader's Digest and put my copy on order for the moment it came out. Little bit and all of the other bears touched my heart so much it's hard ot describe. I felt like I was there with them as events were happening. Jack and Patti you are so lucky to have had this special time in your lives and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your sharing it with us. Just goes to show that all animals are not as we always imagine them to be, yet we know at the same time they are not all created equal. There are those that possess a special trait and willingness to be different, that was little bit. Your book was written from your heart, and the pictures helped us to be there too. I laughed and I cried along with you. so few of us will experience what you did interacting with the bears on the level that you did. I attribute your book to helping me find a hidden talent I did not know existed in me. I started sketching, and yes mostly bears. I did one of you and Patti with little bit, if you'd ever like them all you need to do is ask and they are yours. You touched my life in such a special way that in turn I'd like to touch your lives too. Hope there will be more books and I wish you all the best in your lives. Thank You for sharing your special lives with the world.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars loved this book...reminds me of friends in Canada, August 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Summers with the Bears: Six Seasons in the North Woods (Hardcover)

I read a piece from this book in Reader's Digest. Cut it out and carried it with me. Ordered it as soon as it came out (at Border's books). I loved it. I related to it because of knowing a person whose cabin is on a bear trail. It says alot about trust and friendship between species on this earth.