The Bear Says North: Tales From Northern Lands. Bob Barton, reteller. Illustrated by Jirina Marton. Toronto, ON: Groundwood, 2003. 72 pp., cloth, $19.95. ISBN 0-88899-533-4. Subject Headings: Tales-Northern Hemisphere. Tales-Arctic regions. Grades 3-5 / Ages 8-10. Review by Linda Ludke. ***1/2 /4

excerpt:

Fox saw the gull in Grandfather Bear's mouth but pretended not to notice.

"I was wondering," he said, gazing up at the sky, "from which direction the wind is blowing."

Now, Grandfather Bear might have been a bit slow, but he wasn't completely stupid. He knew Fox was trying to trick him into opening his mouth so that he would have to let go of the gull. He turned his back and said nothing.

"That's odd," said Fox. "I remember a time, Grandfather Bear, when you'd have been able to answer that question without having to think about it. Why, I even remember when you were wise enough to explain from what direction the wind is blowing when the noonday sun shines in your eyes and you feel the wind tickle your back. But I guess those days are long past."

This was too much for Grandfather Bear. If there was one thing he prided himself on, it was his knowledge of wind and weather.

"From the north!" he roared. But when he said it his mouth opened and the gull fell out. (From "Grandfather Bear.")

Folktales from Finland, Lithuania, Russia and other northern counties are artfully retold in this superb collection. The ten stories feature frozen landscapes and imaginative characters, such as Old Frost, the Northern Lights and mountain troll.

     In "The Reindeer Herder and the Moon," Moon falls in love with a young girl and climbs down to earth. The girl tries to hide, and Reindeer comes to her aid by transforming her into different objects. Moon Man is tricked and promises never again to leave the sky. Magical, dream like elements are also in "Katya and the Goat with the Silver Hoof." Old Vanka, a hunter, and Katya, an orphan, search together for a mythical goat who leaves a jewel behind when he stamps his hoof.

     Several tales explore themes of kindness and respect. In "Honest Penny," a boy feels sorry for a frozen stone and warms it with his overcoat. He rejects his mother's cold hearted advice to "Look to thyself. Take care of thyself. For nobody cares for thee." His compassionate actions are rewarded in the end. In "Good Neighbours," Matte and Toller allow the mountain trolls to live in peace. When the trolls move on, they leave behind jewel stones for their friends.

     Jirina Marton's oil pastel illustrations complement the stories. Prairie wolves, bears, and ravens are depicted. The purple and blue background colours are beautiful.

     Bob Barton's retellings, with their patterned language and vivid images, are perfectly suited to be read aloud. Source notes at the end of the book include details on the origins of the stories. In the introduction, Barton writes about his passion for these tales that capture the "beauty, the mystery, the ordinary, the extraordinary, the funny and the serious of the places they are from." As a child, he was fascinated by a book he borrowed from the library, a book titled Children of the Northern Lights, written by Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire. Barton wanted to preserve stories that are at risk of being lost forever. Much to my delight, while reading Barton's collection, I came across a tale I loved as a child "Ander's Hat."

     An excellent addition to folktale collections.

Highly Recommended.

Linda Ludke is a librarian in London, ON.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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