School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-5One of the most important tales, culturally, of the Northwest Coast Indians, this retelling tells of a proud and haughty girl who was kidnapped by bears. Mouse Woman helps her fool them into thinking that she can create copper from her body, and she marries a bear man whom she eventually learns to love. She gives birth to twin sons who are able to be either bear or human. When her brother tracks her down, her husband volunteers to let himself be slain if the woman and her children will honor bears forever. Thus, the Bear Clan came into being. The illustrations are full-color paintings in glowing autumnal tones, done in acrylics and airbrush on canvas, both single and double-page spreads, as well as a few black-and-white drawings. The artist has captured the splendor of the scenery, and presents historically accurate details of the story's setting. In an afterword, Goldin gives a full accounting of the tale and its importance in teaching reverence for animals, although she doesn't mention that she has removed some of the scatological details of the story as it is printed in Bill Reid and Robert Bringhurst's The Raven Steals the Light (University of Washington Press, 1984). The story has much of the same appeal as Rafe Martin's Rough-Face Girl (Putnam, 1992), although it lacks that book's happy ending.Pam Gosner, formerly at Maplewood Memorial Library, NJ (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
In this Native American myth from the Pacific Northwest, a girl's abduction by bears teaches her and her people respect for animals. While picking berries, the chief's spoiled daughter complains bitterly of the bears who have trampled her woodland paths into mud. Soon, two young men appear, ostensibly to help her carry her basket, but they lead her away to an unfamiliar village. There, she is imprisoned by the bear people, who lead double lives as beasts and as humans. A marriage is arranged between the girl and one of her captors, and in time she grows to love her mate and his ways. When she is finally returned to her home, it is with divided emotions and increased understanding of the bond between people and the natural world. Details of Native American lifethe contents of a wedding feast, the process of drying salmonsubtly ground the fantasy elements. An intriguing final note reveals different versions of this tale, affording a personal glimpse into the choices Goldin (Coyote and the Fire Stick) faced in her retelling. Plewe's debut illustrations range from ethereal air-brushed suggestions of spirits in clouds and smoke to the warm, earthy textures of acrylic paints in landscape and bear fur. A graceful and poignant retelling. Ages 5-9. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved