The Legend of the Old Man of the Mountain

by Denise Ortakales, Robert Crawford (Illustrator)

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. Denise Ortakales graduated from the Art Institute of Boston, where she studied illustration and children's literature. Having grown up in the shadow of the Old Man, it was natural for her to write about it as a school assignment. Years later, when the granite formation fell, she knew it was time to share that story with others. This is her first book as an author. She has illustrated several picture books, including Carrot in My Pocket and Good Morning, Garden. Denise lives in Laconia, NH, with her husband and two sons. Artist Robert Crawford graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design. His paintings have appeared on the cover of major magazines such as Fortune, Business Week, The Atlantic and U.S. News and World Report, as well as book covers for major publishers including Random House, Penguin/Putnam, and Avon. Robert's work has won numerous awards and has been selected for permanent collection by the United States government and major corporations. Robert lives in Woodbury, Connecticut.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Native American

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 22, 2004

About the author

I am an illustrator and author of children's books. My medium of choice is paper sculpture. To learn more about it, visit my website sculptedpaper.com. You will also find teacher's guides for some of the books, and information on my school visits.

Reviews

[Margaret Chind · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel sad after having read this picture book. The illustrations and prose are lovely. As a person from the southeastern United States of America, I'm not very familiar with New Hampshire and this was a fascinating introduction. I read this book through inter-library loan.

[Lucy Kirby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A New Hampshire classic.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Native American tale explaining how the White Mountains's "Old Man of the Mountain" came to be. It's really a love story between Chief Pemigewasett and Mohawk Minerwa. Since the Old Man crumbled in 2003, I don't think many kids will have the reference point that makes this story so interesting to those of us who have seen the famous rocky face.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

We had a summer cottage in New Hampshire when I was growing up and remember going to see the Old Man of the Mountain, so this book was a pleasure for me. The illustrations were perfect for the topic, and the main legend told well by the author. Together, they evoke the spirit of the now-fallen natural monument and New Hampshire for me.

[Mckinley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story is a bit flat.