Synopsis
Mahtoqehs, the Great Magical Hare of the Woods, leads Muwin the bear on a fantastical chase through the forest as the hare is transformed into a hunter, a herb woman, an old chief, and a boy who all entertain Muwin with traditional Passamaquoddy tales.
Reviews
Grade 1-4-Muwin, a bear, looks for food at the onset of winter. He follows the scent of an old, lame snowshoe hare, unaware that it is the Great Magic Hare of the Woods. Muwin tracks the animal for three days, but always finds instead an Indian who shares food and a story. Every morning, however, he wakes up alone and hungry and knows he has been deceived. On the fourth morning, the first snow comes, and a boy in a canoe takes him to his den. He is happy to give up hunting for sleeping. The text is lengthy for a picture book, and the Native American's interpolated tales, while fine in themselves, compete with Muwin's somewhat weaker story. The illustrations are attractive, especially those featuring animals. Shetterly's style is a simplified naturalism, most effective when the background is minimal. The palette is dominated by russet and blue, with the bear's dark bulk counterpointed by the hare's pure white. For collections specializing in trickster tales, or Native American (Passamaquoddy) material, or books set in Maine, this tale might appeal.
Patricia Dooley, University of Washington, Seattle
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Two simply retold Passamaquoddy tales (``The Rough-face Girl'' plus one about a conceited grouse whose round canoe spins into a whirlpool) are set in an elaborate longer tale about a bear who's about to hibernate when he's lured away by the Great Magic Hare, Mahtoqehs--who leads the still-hungry Muwin to a campfire where a hunter offers him ``stew of snowshoe hare'' and tells him a story; next morning, all has vanished. That evening, an old woman offers Muwin ``hare soup'' and tells him another story; she, too, vanishes before dawn. Eventually, a boy in a canoe--yet another embodiment of Mahtoqehs--takes sleepy Muwin back to his den. The narrative, in trying to incorporate several tales, seems a little contrived and doesn't provide much motive for the journey. Still, the bear's adventures are mildly intriguing; the Shetterleys show respect for their sources in a note; and the vibrant acrylics, enhanced with dramatic shadows, nicely evoke the Maine landscape (the animals are especially appealing). (Folklore/Picture book. 5-10) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
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