The Legend of Sleeping Bear

by Kathy-jo Wargin, Gijbert Van Frankenhuyzen (Illustrator)

In this retelling of an Ojibwa Indian tale, a mother bear loses sight of her two cubs as they attempt to escape a forest fire by swimming across Lake Michigan.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Native American, Fiction, Indigenous, Animals, Nature

48 pages, Hardcover

First published October 19, 1998

About the author

Kathy-jo Wargin is the bestselling author of more than fifty books for adults and children. With more than 1.2 million copies sold, she writes across genres and age-groups, and has earned national recognition for award–winning titles such as Michigan’s Official State Children’s Book The Legend of Sleeping Bear, the International Reading Association’s Children's Choice Award Winner The Legend of the Loon, the Bank Street College of Education Best Book Listee The Voyageur’s Paddle, the IRA Teacher's Choice Award Winner Win One for the Gipper, and many more.

Reviews

[Lori]

I'm from Michigan and have been to the Sleeping Bear Dunes and I've never heard this legend until now. Beautiful story and gorgeous paintings.

[John Bagley]

Sleeping Bear Dunes! This is a classic

[Sayonna Adams]

The Legend of Sleeping Bear is a great Folktale for a 3rd grade class. This folktale is about how the Manitou Islands of Lake Michigan came to be. The overreaching theme of this tale is a mother bear's love for her cubs and takes us through her journey of finding her cubs again after a dangerous event occurs. As a mom, I connected to this story deeply, and felt my heart break a little as I was reading but I do see how this story carries meaning for all those who hear it.
As a teacher, this book is a great resource to incorporate into a social studies geography lesson. This book can be used to help compare regions (standard 3.G.1.6). Students can compare the activities Mother Bear does with her cubs (walk through the forest, catch trout in the stream, and play by the lake) to a different region and what can be done there (deserts, tundras, mountains, etc.)
Another way that a 3rd grade teacher can use this book is for a writing assignment. After reading this story to the class, a teacher can have a writing activity where students pick one person (mom, dad, grandparent, sibling, best friend, pet, etc.) and write about the activities they do together.
The reason this was a wow book for me is because I love hearing the legends of how land forms were created and the spirits that reside over the land. I especially loved the ending message from the mother bear to her cubs because it's a mother's never ending love.

[Alaina Kaupa]

The Legend of the Sleeping Bear is a beautifully illustrated folktale about how the beautiful Michigan ‘Sleeping Bear’ Dunes came to be. A story created and shared by Native Americans for hundreds of years, The Legend of the Sleeping Bear is a story of a mother bear’s love for her two cubs. When a fire roared through the bear’s home in Wisconsin, the mother bear collected her two cubs and began to swim across Lake Michigan. The journey was long and difficult, and the cubs had a hard time keeping up. One at a time the cubs succumbed to the waters leaving only the mother bear as she reached land. As the mother looked out into the water, two islands slowly began to form where the cubs had disappeared (Manitou Islands). The mother bear laid down where she fell asleep on a sand dune waiting for her cubs to return (sleeping bear dune). With the grade range of this folktale being second to fourth, I think this could be a great independent read where afterwards students can talk about what they read in a small group or as a whole class.

[Jamie Pauline]

This beautiful rendition of the beloved legend features breathtaking illustrations. It will always be a favorite because it reminds me of summers at the cottage with my family.

[Kate]

I found this sweet and sad book at a bead and breakfast that I stayed at. The art work is amazing

[Ellice]

A nicely illustrated children's book, and an interesting legend, but boy, it's a bit of a downer. I kind of think it would have traumatized me slightly as a child.

[FM Family]

Was disappointed by this one. Giving it a low review because it was so sad I couldn't even finish reading it to my kid, and there wasn't anything in the summary I read about it that tipped me off. so I'll put it in caps here TOO SAD FOR LITTLE KIDS. My 3.5 year old and I read this together and when I started realizing how it was going I had to do some verbal juggling to be like...and then everyone was fine the end, because I was not looking to get into something traumatic right before bedtime.

We picked this up because my kid LOVES Jam and Jelly by Holly and Nellie which has the same illustrator, but this one was a misfire for us. Maybe when she's older and knows the world is terrible place already. Also, I'm actually demoting this to one star because I remembered the way this book talked about the area was very "Terra Nullis" as if civilization started when white settlers came to the land and that indigenous people hadn't always been here. " Long, long ago, before voyageurs paddled canoes down rivers and streams, before mighty lumbermen cleared forests with sharp shiny axes, before wooden ships carried sailors across great freshwater seas...a time before farmers and Native Americans planted cherry and apple trees in long, neat rows..." - there was only a bear here? Indigenous people have been in the area since time immemorial so it's wrong on a number of levels to present history in this way. It feels like an act of erasure and of framing settlers as benign or even a great presence, which was especially rich in a story that is said to originally be a legend coming from indigenous people in the area. So yeah, this one was not a story I'd recommend.

[Bekah]

The Legend of Sleeping Bear by Kathy-jo Wargin is the legend of how sleeping bear dunes and North and South Manitou Islands came to be. The legend starts with a mother bear and her two bear cubs who live in a forest in Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Michigan. One day, there is a fire, and the mother bear and her cubs escape to the water. They have to swim and swim and swim through the day and through the night to get to the other side.
The mother bear tells them to swim with all their might, and the cubs try, but the journey is too long. When the mother bear reaches the other shore, her cubs are nowhere in sight, so she climbs to the top of the highest dune and waits and waits for them to appear. She calls out to them, and she tells them she loves them. Finally, because of her love for her cubs, spirits bring the cubs back in the form of two islands off the coast, and after many years of waiting, Mother Bear is blanketed with sand. But now, she finally has her cubs back, and can rest peacefully, knowing she is always watching over them.

I definietely give this book 5/5 stars, this was also one of my favorite books as a child. It is a legend, so it has a spirit of mystery and wholesomeness that draws me in. The illustrations are wonderful, and the mother's love for her cubs is so profound. A legend gives more to life, and makes a great story out of Sleeping Bear Dunes and North and South Manitou Islands.

[Kayli Scrivener]

There was a mother bear and two cubs who were living an average bear life. The mother bear taught her cubs how to catch fish and pick berries. One day there was a fire in the forest and all the animals were running away. The mother bear told her cubs to run to the lake. The cubs swam behind her through that night and into the morning. When the mother bear reached the shore, the cubs were no longer behind her. She called out for her cubs for months with no response. Eventually, the spirits brought the cubs' bodies out of the lake and made them into islands for the mother.
The Legend of Sleeping Bear frustrated me. The mother should have swam behind her cubs. It is made up so why have such a big flaw?
This book would be good for teaching myths, legends, and/or folklore. It would be a good introduction to a cultural unit.

[Vivi Mire]

This book was one of the very first books I learned how to read. It's always held a very special place in my heart, not just for it's relevance to where I grew up, but also the emotional impact of the story. I still can't even think about it without tearing up a bit. I've seen concerns before about how the bittersweet ending may be too much for little kids- but as someone who first was exposed to it at a kindergarten age; I honestly think that it's a wonderful book even for young children. As a kid, when every legend is real to some degree, I think seeing the dunes and thinking "it's mama!" helped me gain a better appreciation and respect for the natural world. Now, as an adult, I can say that this book has never really left my mind. I highly recommend this book for anyone, especially if there is a visit to the dunes being planned.

[Don]

I grew up going to Sleeping Bear dunes and hearing the legend. I’ve sailed to the Manitou Islands. This wonderful picture book honors that legend in both text and wonderfully beautiful illustrations, tactfully handling the loss of life for children’s ears. I would have given 5 ⭐️s, but there is no mention of the source of the legend…an Anishinaabe (Ojibwe/Chippewa and Odawa) oral story meant to explain the presence of the immense dune and islands. Call me woke (proudly) but not honoring the Native American tradition is a mistake. I understand that the author did not in this publication because there is not sufficient documentary evidence it is Ojibwa, though the Ojibwa themselves claim it and it is an oral tradition within the tribe.

[Lara]

Rather torn on this one - that's why only 3 stars.
Absolutely gorgeous illustrations, and it's always nice to have multicultural tales and legends to include for story times, but at the same time, this is Not a happy tale. One of those natural-formations-as-the-result-of-grief-and-longing stories. If the audience is young enough, you might be able to gloss over how the baby bears never surfaced from the lake, but older listeners would pick up on why Mother Bear is waiting. So, a story "not for sensitive audiences", I guess?
Still, gorgeous illustrations and an interesting addition if the audience can roll with it.

[Jillian Dospil]

The Legend of Sleeping Bear falls into the traditional literature genre. It tells the story of how the Sleeping Bear Dunes supposedly came about. The story is especially unique for people living in Michigan. Prior to reading it, I never knew where the Sleeping Bear Dunes name came from. This story offers children with a capturing theory of how it all really happened. The paintings throughout the story are warm and inviting. I would recommend this story to all age groups. Lower elementary aged students would love it as a read aloud and even as an adult, I loved reading it to myself.

[Elizabeth Edwards]

(i read the kindle one, i don't see that available here on Goodreads?) I am new to this author, and i was lucky enough 2 find 3 books this time to check out from her, i see there are several more i can read... The Edmund Fitzgerald: The Song of the Bell, The Legend of the Petoskey Stone, & The Legend of Sleeping Bear... these are in KU if you want to check them out ... i think my faves are probably The Legend of Sleeping Bear or about the Edmund Fitzgerald .. enjoy them all but those are my most fave ... great pics ... fun to check out. enjoy!!

[Jordyn Gildner]

Traditional Literature
2nd grade+
I find the illustrations in this book to be an incredible feature that make the legend come to life. The illustrations are so beautiful and vibrant, as you can see from the cover. I encourage you to read this book to familiarize yourself with Michigan History and witness the striking illustrations. If you enjoy the legend, I highly recommend The Legend of the Petoskey Stone and The Legend of Mackinac Island, equally as breathtaking!

[Briana Grillo]

I grew up loving the idea of traditional literature being told in this format. "The Legend of Sleeping Bear" takes the reader on a journey with a mama bear and her two cubs, who are swimming across the lake in order to find new land to live on. This particular story is a sad one, but allows children of all ages (1st-8th) to connect stories and illustrations to certain concepts and legends in order to understand where it may have began.

[Matthew]

Honestly, this story is a bit of a bummer. I mean, I get that it's a piece of folklore with Native American origins, but what a downer of a story. Still, the author did a good job of telling the story, and the illustrations are beautiful. If you're living in the Great Lakes Region or in Michigan where it was designated the state's Official Picture Book, this would be a good one to share, but no matter where you're reading this, be prepared for a little grief.

[Roxy]

Traditional Literature
This book has very unique sentence structures which makes it unique to read. Some sentences continue between pages, or are set up that use of punctuation makes or breaks whether the sentence will make sense.
This book would be a great read aloud for a third or fourth grade classroom.

[Jenna Wichterman]

The illustrations alone are a reason to add this book to my personal collection. However, this story is very sad because there are death and sorrow throughout the story and maybe upsetting to some students. A great story about the love a mother has for her children. The reading level is about 3rd grade, I feel like they would understand the reason behind the story.

[Jennifer Ruggles]

A story about a mother bear and her two cubs. They go through a dangerous journey that leads to the cubs not making it. The mother is devastated. She waits for her cubs on the beach until she passes. I liked this story because it shows the power of a mothers love and how she will do anything for her children.

[Lauren Munch]

This book was so great! I loved being able to connect with the Story with how close I am from to where this legend takes place and it’s perfect for teaching about the history of the dunes as well!!

Traditional fiction

Used in 3rd grade or above

[Darian - Books With A Chance]

I really enjoyed the book. The illustrations are beautiful and it’s such a sweet story of Sleeping Bear Dunes.

However, if your little one is sensitive and a big animal lover they may not like this book. My 6 year old gave it a 1 because of what happens with the cubs. Instantly he was done.

[Rebecca Light]

Too depressing for impressionable minds.

[Neil King]

Traditional Literature
beautiful illustrations
1st-5th grades

[Marissa Elera]

The illustration of Mother Bear with tears in her eyes as she looked for her cubs got me choked up.

[Emilee Dubois]

5/5 stars
Legend
This was a beautiful book to read. Lovely imagery, phrasing, illustrations, and poems.
Appropriate for grades k-6

[Genevieve]

This so called "legend" is completely made up. It's cultural appropriation and totally inappropriate.

[Lady reading under the Willow]

This brought tears to my eyes. So sad.

[Theo]

“Where are the babies, Mama? Did they sink?” 😭