Bears Books

these are indispensible to the person seeking out this particular path. I have learned so much and continue to share with friends and family. a must have in your personal library

I've had these cards for several years now. Throughout that time I've used these for self-discovery as well as to enhance my study of nature and the world around me.

The artwork is welldone and there is always more in each card than what originally meets the eye.

The descriptions and guides and useful, but not in great depth. To me that's part of the joy of this deck...the necessity to put yourself INTO the process and really learn.

I recommend these if you are looking to find a focus point for your daily meditation and you are working to find your place among nature.

I tried for years to work with tarot decks and just found them to be cold and impersonal. A friend reccomended these and they've been not only easy to work with but very relevant to my life. I would highly reccomend these to anyone.

I love this set, I kept my cards a secret to myself for the first few weeks I had them, but the identification of the reading and the situtaion I was questioning was eerie - so I asked various people who visited if they would not mind having a "Go" with the cards, well now my friends, family and acquaintences beleive I am a Shaman Sacred Card reader, this may be so but I believe it is the book and card set that are the true hero, as long as the person giving the reading has respect for the essense of the set the truth will Out. A teriffic gift to give someone interested in the subject of Native American Wisdom, it is so much fun to see a friends face change into the "Oh my god how did you know that" look. All readings are positive (I don't mean polite I mean give positive guidance for good news or bad) but one would have to be dim not to understand the significance of every card reading. If I can make sense of the set anybody can - The cards are Beautiful and the book print size is big enough for my bad eyesight, for late night reading with a bedside lamp.

beautiful cards. Interesting book. had many dream of spirit animals after reading book.

Every night, my husband reads to my son to help him drift off to sleep. He has read HUNDREDS of books to him over the past few years (my son is 4), but THIS book is not only a favorite of my son's, it is my husband's favorite. After reading this book for the first time, my husband INSISTED I go read it for myself. I have to admit....it is quite possibly the most charming, most endearing, almost mesmorizing children's story I have ever read. It's the perfect story.

This is a beautifully written book that surpasses the realm of "just a children's book". The language is poetic and the story is really touching--it actually brought tears to my eyes! After my 6-year-old read it to me, she put it down and said, "Wow, that was a really good book, mommy. Can we buy this one?" We definately will be buying it, and any others this author writes.

I teach 6th grade, my students love this book! During shared reading I read it to them, they were silent and enthralled. Don't feel this book is for the very young only, it was read to me during my Master's course work and I appreciated it in a whole new way!! I highly recommend this book to all readers, want-to-be readers and those doing the reading to others.
Kat L.

Bears can't understand language. Or can they? In this gentle fantasy, a bear finds a letter in the woods, puzzles over its markings and brings it to his cave; he's tantalized by it. When he meets a woman reading books in the woods by her cabin, they begin an unusual friendship. She reads to him daily. "All the words she read made a story. A story for her bear." And when she departs for the winter, she leaves her books behind for her friend, who takes them, one by one, to his cave. He's soothed by them during the long winter months - no mention of hibernating; this is a fantasy. "And while he slept, he heard her voice, gentle and near. She was telling him a tale of adventure, and magic, and love. And...before she came back in the spring, whenever he put his nose to the pages or touched the covers with his claws, she was there."

The story is haunting, but it's the illustrations that imbue the tale with such power and grace. The bear is adorable. The pine woods are lovely. This book does what good storybooks do: transport the reader to another place. You can smell the pine straw on the forest floor, imagine the roughness of the bear's coat, feel the chill in the autumn air. Best of all, you feel the strong bond between the book's two characters.

[...]

This is one of the most tender, thoughful, whimsical and joyful books in this particular genre I have ever encountered. The story, part fantasy of course, in a way, is tenderly told and has a beat and life of it's own. A bear, captivated by a letter found in the woods finds a new friend. A young lady, obviously seeking the peacefulness we all desire, finds a friend. They both share the love of the written word and the love of books. The soft paintings are an absolute delight and some of the best I have seen. This is one of those childrens books that children truly do enjoy, but I suspect most adults will actuall enjoy it as much as the child, if not more so. Like a previous reviewer, If it were up to me, this one would capture most of the awards given for childrens books. I cannot recommend this one highly enough. Suggest you buy the thing as you will no doubt want to read it again and again. Thank you Haseley and LaMarche! Job well done!

Though I have often thought of the similarities between the noses of bears and my own labrador retriever, and been tempted to ascribe those labrador characteristics to bears, I knew better. My reading about bears has included many tales of bear maulings and their extreme medical consequences. This book, though, showed me that bears can equal our canine buddies in establishing full and rich relationships. This unique story of love among the Minnesota woods made me wish that I could pull up stakes and establish a home in the woods and wait for the bears to visit. It really makes one wonder what relationships with other animals we might have if given the opportunity.

I never understood black bears until reading Jack Becklund's book. I laughed and cried, feeling as if I was right there with Jack and his wife Patti. Afterward, I wanted to visit that area, see the house, see the yard where Little Bit and the other bears played. I now want to find out more about helping these wonderful creatures survive. I have never been more moved by a book. I would love to communicate with Jack and Patti some time and get a picture of "Conversation with a Bear". They are incredible people and so fortunate to have had such a gift in their lives as becoming intimately involved with God's beautiful wildlife.
I would HIGHLY recommend this book. I am reading it again now for the second time. It is hard to put down. Thank you Jack and Patti for sharing this beautiful experience with us.
Joanne Setlock
Wallace Ave.
Buffalo, New York 14216

If you love animals, nature, the great outdoors, and reading about people who love all those things too, please get this book, sit down with a box of tissues, and enjoy! You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll shake your head in wonderment. The author Jack Becklund and his wife Patti, move deep into the Minnesota forests. Their property is home to deer gamboling on the lawn, chipmunks and hand-fed squirrels munching seeds on the porch,wild mallard ducks swimming and splashing in the creek below, and a colorful array of native birds. But the real heart of the story is Little Bit, the black bear cub who toddles onto the back deck one day, and stays for the next six summers as a welcome, loving, and deeply loved guest of the couple. She is a magical spirit, a living, breathing gift from God, sent to bring great joy to their lives. We are honored to meet Little Bit's cubs, her mates, and numerous other black bears who live in the area, and come to trust the Becklunds. The story itself is incredible, but between the lines, we watch the couple come to love and appreciate the power of this sacred trust they've been given...the joy of the relationship they share with these magnificent animals.This is a book for all time...a classic in every sense of the word. The photos are magnificent, and bring the personalities of the animals into beautiful focus.

Summer With The Bears is about a couple who decide to leave the city for an adventure in Minnesota to observe the bears. At first Jack & Patti started out just observing the bears for hours to learn their habits and earn their confidence. And they do earn their trust. There were many more animals that they befriended. They kept a journal on everything that happened concerning the bears and other animals. They even named the bears.

As a true animal lover, I really liked this book. The pictures added to the book. If you are looking for a short and sweet read this is the book for you.

Summer with the bears is by far the best book I've ever read. If you don't have it or haven't read it do so now. It will change your life in some way I'm sure. I first read about it in the Reader's Digest and put my copy on order for the moment it came out. Little bit and all of the other bears touched my heart so much it's hard ot describe. I felt like I was there with them as events were happening. Jack and Patti you are so lucky to have had this special time in your lives and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your sharing it with us. Just goes to show that all animals are not as we always imagine them to be, yet we know at the same time they are not all created equal. There are those that possess a special trait and willingness to be different, that was little bit. Your book was written from your heart, and the pictures helped us to be there too. I laughed and I cried along with you. so few of us will experience what you did interacting with the bears on the level that you did. I attribute your book to helping me find a hidden talent I did not know existed in me. I started sketching, and yes mostly bears. I did one of you and Patti with little bit, if you'd ever like them all you need to do is ask and they are yours. You touched my life in such a special way that in turn I'd like to touch your lives too. Hope there will be more books and I wish you all the best in your lives. Thank You for sharing your special lives with the world.

I bought this book for my nephew and it met all my expectations and I am sure he will be quite pleased with it.

Excellent reading. Michael Garrett has become a fine teacher like his father before him. A true student of life Michael takes the Cherokee ancestral stories, mixes in some modern day experiences and relays a wonderful message. If harmony and balance are traits you would like to have within your own life I highly recommend this selection.

If you want to find balance in your life, this book is an excellent way to start on that pathway.

Michael continues his journey of a Helper in the truest form of "being Cherokee". I am amazed at how simple God our Creator is revealed in our self induced complexity of life. Thank you Michael for helping to remove the scales of our heart and spirit. For those of you who are Christians, I would encourage you to use Michael's book as a help in your journey through the Bible.

Blessings

I came across this book while exploring my recently discovered Native heritage. It fit the bill perfectly, helping me learn about universal Native traditions, practices, and thinking. I could go on and on, but it's enough to say that this book is well written, informative, and enjoyable. Michael Garrett has a lot to offer.

Book offers a wide range of details and styles that are described in an easy to follow format. Patterns are not difficult and user friendly.

Excellent book with beautiful pictures. Leaves plenty of room to your own creativity. Desciptions are straightforward. It's hard for me to say if it would be good for beginners, since I'm trained in dressmaking and patternmaking, but it seems easy to figure out. I can't think of any book I'd rather use when making doll clothes - it has everything.

The Dolls Dressmaker Book is the most complete pattern book I have ever found. It includes everything one could want to dress their doll. Clothes, underwear, accessories, hats, shoes. Excellent instruction information on assembly, mix-n-match pieces. Great rcommendations of trims, laces, etc. All full size patterns grouped by size, easy access in back of book.
I Very Highly recommend.

Detailed patterns, clear explanations and completed with the needed illustrations. Also some tips to modify the lengths of the patterns or to adapt the suggested model in order to create other dresses. Well done.
I was looking since a while for these kind of books till I discovered the Amazon.com and his large choice of books related to 'Dolls' dresses and furniture and am very satisfied about the quality of their service and deliveries.

Before buying this book, I would buy patterns for doll clothes. Sometimes I bought patterns from big companies like Simplicity and sometimes I bought patterns from small outfits. Of course, they were very specific patterns for only a few outfits for only a few limited dolls. Ms. Dodge's book is like owning every pattern for every doll ever created! She provides many basic pattern pieces in a variety of sizes. It will be up to you, however, to design your doll's outfit. Don't worry--the book will show you how! You will also make your own custom pattern pieces in order to get the right fit. This book covers baby dolls, girl dolls and even boy dolls. The only doll that is not represented is the womanly-figured modern fashion doll, but once you have mastered what is covered in this book, you will be able to dress those dolls too. The author provides lots of good, detailed photos and beautiful line drawings of possible outfits to inspire you. My confidence in dressing dolls has increased a hundred-fold. Now I know that if I can dream it, I can achieve it. And you can too!

I loved this book. It has made an excellent addition to my library of Native American spirituality and practices. There is much in it that is relevant and useful. The Cherokee have a beautiful way of looking at the world.

I have read several books by the Garretts and find them all to be wonderful sources of information and brings my Cherokee heritage home to rest in my heart. Thank You.

The Garretts pull from their experieces from the "real world," as well as their healings and practical experience with the Cherokee to give us excellent starting points in helping ourselves and others. For such a thin book, there is a lot of advice hidden in the stories and accounts, if you know what to look for.

I really enjoyed reading this material and consider it the best for Individuals of Indian ancestry who still believe in the Traditional Ways.

This is a must read book for first time people into the world of the Native americans. It will open a whole new door that you will bring out of it is the respect for all living things and for Morther Earth. The book helps you understand that certain things are sacred to the Native Americans and how it ties into their beliefs. Once you read this book you will begin to see things through the eyes of a different race, but from the point of a Native American. You will learn differemt ways of praying and saying thanks to mother nature. You will take things from the book and apllied to your everyday life. Wah Doh.

My 2 yr old granddaughter had borrowed this book from the library and enjoyed it so much and was so devastated at having to return it, so i purchased it for her.

The rhyming is pleasant, the premise is pleasant. It makes you giggle and interact with the child. Although my granddaughter can only recognize a few letters she can "read" the entire book by herself now as she has it memorized. I reccomend this book. it is sturdy for little hands, illustrations are simple yet lovely, and it is interactive if you choose it to be!

This is a really cute book to read to your little one. Pictures are adorable and story allows you to interact with your kid(s)!

My 14-month-old little girl can't get enough of this book! We have a stuffed Pooh bear that she mimics the motions with. She even tries to sing along (previous reviewer was right; it's hard to just read and not sing this book!). I only wish it came with a bear like the one in the book. Now THAT would be too cute! I hope to see more Wilson/Williams collaborations in the future!

Absolutely adorable! We can't get enough of it. You really will find yourself singing the words to your baby throughout the day!

My daughter loves this book. We sing it to her to the tune of pat-a-cake and perform the actions like kissing on the nose, toes, etc. Now she can even finish some of the verses.

This book is great for boys and girls alike, but especially poignant for young boys who still want their sleepy pals but also want to be thought of as grown-up! If you can get them to read it with the attitude of the characters, you'll smile the entire time you're reading. Dont' let this one get by you!

These books are perfect. His ear for spoken language is dead-on. It's a joy to read aloud.

This is one of the sweetest bedtime stories, getting kids ready for sleeping over with a reassuring message. Best of all, it features two little boys. There's not a lot of gentle message kids books out there that feature little boys.

This is timeless kiddie lit story: Ira is invited to his first sleep over. Ira's older sister, however, casts doubt in Ira's mind. Will Reggie laugh because Ira sleeps with a teddy bear? Should he go with or without his beloved teddy? His parents are supportive and Ira makes his decision, only to change his mind once again.

Jim Trealease, of Read-Aloud fame, read this story, with appropriate voices to a group of teachers. I was so enchanted with it that later, when I taught high school, I asked permission of my seniors to tell them Ira Sleeps Over. They loved it!

Not having read the book nor able to check it out from a library, I relied totally on reviewers 5 star comments when deciding to purchase this book. Just about 1/3 the way into the book my parental radar piqued at the conversation between Reggie and Ira concerning ghost stories, "scary, creepy, spooky ghost stories." To my sorrow, no mention or even allusion of this was in any of the reviews.

My youngest 3 children (two 5 year olds and a 7 year old) are from a culture that emphasizes ghosts, the boogie man, evil spirits, etc. in a demonic fashion. Prior to becoming part of our family, ghosts were used as a form of disciplne to terrorize them to comply and obey. Even after having them in our family for a year they still struggle with the memories of these demons. Since the ghost story is the climax in Ira Sleeps Over, I do not recommend this book.

This is a great book for kids as well as parents. The story, along with the rhyming, keeps our toddler wanting to read it over and over again.

We have this book as well as "Where's My Teddy" and my son LOVES these books. They are super cute and fun to read. Highly recommend.

Our 2.5 year old adores this and other books by Jez Alborough. "It's the Bear" has lovely rhyming language, great illustrations and is a sure winner at bedtime.

The story itself provides opportunities for little ones to participate in punch lines and share their thoughts on what is going on in the pictures.

It's the bear is a frequent read in my home. All my children, ages 7 to 2, love the bear who is just as afraid of little Eddie as Eddie is of him. Infact, my (almost) 4 year old chose a teddy bear picnic theme for his birthday based on this book. A copy for each child attending made a wonderful gift.

"It's the Bear" is a fun book to read aloud to young children. It's simply written, in near-rhyme, with lots of opportunity for the reader to whimper, yell, growl, and sniff. My son loves to holler some of the lines along with me. The drawings are great, with an absolutely oversized bear grasping a huge teddy bear of his own, and eating a bite-sized picnic that he stumbles upon.

Very enjoyable, a great bedtime read. I'll be getting more by this author.

I have been following global warming issues on the BBC News web site for a while, and have read about the shrinking Arctic ice over the past few seasons. I didn't realize the damage done to the ecosystem was as bad as it was until I read this book, which deals not only with polar bears, but with other animals, as well as the indigenous peoples of the North. Although the author pleads that it is not a hopeless situation, it was difficult for me not to think that things may have gone beyond the tipping point. Most heartbreaking for me was an account of baby walruses being placed on an ice floe by mothers who could no longer feed them because the food supply wasn't there. More accounts continued from there. It's what I didn't want to hear, but exactly what I needed to hear. No words were minced, nothing candy-coated, yet nothing sensationalized. It breaks my heart to think that in my children's lifetimes, the only polar bears left may be in zoos. But in all of that, the author begs us to hope - hope AND work - that as a species, we can help save the polar bear and other creatures caught up in the spiral of global warming.

This book is a masterpiece. In a world of white, Mr. Kazlowski, the photographer, found a wealth of color. Each picture is more compelling than the previous one. I have enjoyed sharing this book with everyone that comes to my house. I am in awe of the dedication it took to get each and every shot, and thank Mr. Kazlowski for his hard work and sacrifice. The contributing writers' essays are wonderfully crafted on a variety of pertinent topics - polar bears and arctic foxes, polar bears and the Inupiat, the real price of oil. There is an incredible account of the harvesting of a bowhead whale, and what the hunters found. The money I spent on this book was more than worth it. I recommend 'The Last Polar Bear' whole-heartedly.

By Dag Stomberg (St. Andrews, Scotland)

I write to sound the praises of this extraordinary book.

Truly, a help for all of us to see the POLAR DISTRESS and
what to do for saving endangered bears.

This book is a superb piece of work. The written commentaries and the photographs are excellent. It is a must have for every home. Steven Kazlowski's talents truly shine in this publication!

Wow! I have a few of his books, all good, but this tops them all. I love polar bears and even have a few of his nature prints on my walls. This book is enlightening and the facts are alarming. Great job, once again.

I met Steve in Deadhorse (prudhoe bay) some years ago, and we have been friends ever since. It was my privledge to pass him on to other friends as he immersed himself into the Arctic. Steve is continuing a proud tradition of naturalist explorers and photographers that extend back to John Muir. I was in the area when National Geographic blew into Kaktovik, took a few photo ops and blew out. In contrast, Steve, like Micho Hoshino did, actually lives with the animals. He staked out a polar bear den for a month waiting for the opportunity of a few photos. Thousands of hours have been logged watching and waiting, most of them in rather challanging conditions.
Even more so, the very act of living a life of meditation in the wild will transform one's spirit and vision. He has honed his eye and awareness to a sharpness that few of us will either have the time, opportunity or dedication to achieve. I am in awe of the amazing clarity that he has brought to not only the great northern bears of the arctic, but to the ramifications of the whole world about us as we continue to lose that which every ecosystem should treasure. Bravo Steve.