While the Bear Sleeps: Winter Tales and Traditions
Gr 2-5-Escaping the cold on a winter walk, a young girl climbs inside a deep hole and finds herself in a bear's den. The magical animal then leads her (in her dreams as they hibernate) to different lands and times. The bear "chats" with the girl along the way, pointing out how different peoples developed and observe winter holiday customs and celebrations as lead-ins to the stories. They visit Europe, Mexico, and the United States, learning a little about Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Candelmas, Solstice, Twelfth Night, and New Year's Day. While this attractively designed compilation can serve as a guide to discussing and studying different seasonal holidays, readers may simply enjoy the twosome's journey and stories along the way. Mills's appealing acrylics appear throughout, sometimes large, but generally as small vignettes in the text margins. Sources are cited in an endnote.-L.F.Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information, Inc.