The Woman Who Married a Bear - 2nd Edition by Elizabeth James (Hardcover)

About the Book

An arrogant young girl who insults the bears must face the consequences: punishment from the bears themselves. This retelling of an ancient West Coast First Nations' tale about a young woman's intimate encounter with the bears chronicles her transformative experiences. Detailed watercolor illustrations convey the spectacular natural beauty of the Pacific West Coast, from its misty seashores to its wildflower-filled meadows and icy mountain peaks. Both story and pictures teach children the importance of respecting and honoring nature and animals.

Review Quotes

A Teaching and Learning for Peace Foundation Recommended Book!
Years Best Picture Book, 2008, Resource Links

"The serene, panoramic color illustrations reflect the majesty of nature and wild things in this enduring folktale, and an afterword mentions different variations of the legend told among Native American tribes. The Woman Who Married a Bear is truly a classic story in the most profound sense of the word."
- Midwest Book Review

"A memorable examination of the interdependence between humans and their environment. Atanas's illustrations are strongest when the raw Pacific landscape spreads across the page, celebrating sky, land and sea."
- Kirkus Reviews

"The exquisite art by Atanas Matsoureff enriches the narrative by providing a strong visual tone to the story.... This book would be suitable for Social Studies topics or Language Arts curriculum on folk tales. This folk tale is common to several western First Nations cultures. This book could be used in conjunction with other retellings to give students a better concept of variants or the oral tradition common to these cultures. It would also provide a point for discussion of the connection between these cultures and the natural world. This book would be suitable for both school and public libraries. Excellent."
- Resource Links

About the Author

Elizabeth James lives in Vancouver, BC.

Atanas Matsoureff was born in Bansko, Bulgaria. His watercolor paintings are prized for their beauty and sensitivity to the natural world. His previous picture book, The Lost Island, was published by Simply Read Books in 2010.