Michigan State Children's Book
| "The Legend of Sleeping Bear" |
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Adopted:June 18, 1998 |
Adoption of the Michigan State Children's Book
House Resolution No. 286.
A resolution commemorating The Legend of Sleeping Bear as the State of Michigan's official children's book.
Whereas, Children flourish under the support and guidance of nurturing parents. When families are involved in their children's education, children achieve higher grades and test scores, have better attendance at school, complete more homework, and demonstrate more positive attitudes and behavior; and
Whereas, Parents can most effectively influence their child's progress by consistent and frequent reading together. This daily reading can immensely improve a student's achievement across all academic areas; and
Whereas, The Sleeping Bear Press has published a book entitled, The Legend of Sleeping Bear. This book tells a tale believed to have originally been told by some of the first inhabitants of Michigan, the Ojibwe tribe; and
Whereas, The tale originated as a way to explain the sandy area that we know today as the Sleeping Bear Dune. In this story, mother bear and her two cubs must escape a forest fire in Wisconsin. As they struggle to make this journey across Lake Michigan, the loyalty and dedication they show for one another is powerful and heartwarming; and
Whereas, It took more than a year for painter Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen and author Kathy-jo Wargin to bring this enchanting and popular tale to life. The richness and depth of their work underscores the beauty of the legend, preserving this story for generations to come; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we commemorate The Legend of Sleeping Bear as the state's official children's book; and be it further
Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to Sleeping Bear Press as a symbol of our esteem.
Source: California State Legislature, California Law, , March 16, 2008.
Source: State Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols: A Historical Guide Third Edition, Revised and Expanded by Benjamin F. Shearer and Barbara S. Shearer. Greenwood Press; 3 Sub edition (October 30, 2001).
Additional Information
The Legend of Sleeping Bear,
by Kathy-jo Wargin, Illustrated by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen. Reading level: Ages 4-8, Hardcover: 43 pages, Sleeping Bear Press; 1 edition (October 19, 1998).
In this retelling of an Ojibwe Indian tale, a mother bear loses sight of her two cubs as they all attempt to escape a forest fire by swimming across Lake Michigan. The great bear sleeps- waiting for her cubs- who have turned into the Manitou Islands - the wind sweeps on.
The Legend of Sleeping Bear received Lansing's Capital Area District Library's Children's Choice Award for Best Picture Book. It was also named the Official Children's Book of Michigan in 1998!
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