How Snowshoe Hare Rescued the Sun is a simple story from the Yuit people who share language and stories with their Inuit relatives in Alaska. The story tells the tale of demons who stole the sun and drag it back to their cave. Several animals attempt to get the sun back, but only snowshoe hare is successful and when he kicks the sun back into the sky he also creates the moon and starts. The illustrations have a very traditional feel to them which helps add to the traditional feel of the story. The tone is serious, but also inspirational. The illustrations are colorful though simple and easy to understand. I don’t know if I would pick this book up again, but I do think there is value in the connection of cultures.

Alaskan Connection: Yuit people and their relation to Inuit people, Tundra Animals
Activity: Discuss and learn about Yuit people and how they are related to Inuit people, explore Alaskan History, and learn about and share projects based on tundra animals. ( )

I loved this story. I think it is a great story for children because it has great language and is kid friendly; however the illustrations are especially great. This book has a great color scheme with pastel colors that match the feeling from the words. This story is all about bravery and facing your own fears and doing what has to be done. I loved everything about this story and I think children would too. ( )

When the greedy demons who live under the earth steal the sun for themselves, the animals of the tundra hold a great conference, to decide what to do. They know that without the sun, there will be no light, and no heat. Without the sun, there will be no Spring. And so they elect to send Bear, the strongest of them all, to retrieve it. Only Old Snowy Owl suspects that strength is not what is needed, an idea that is confirmed when Bear gets distracted by some delicious berries, and forgets his quest altogether. Similarly, Wolf - selected for his speed - ends up bedding down with a warm wolf-pack, and falling asleep. In the end, it falls to Snowshoe Hare to rescue the sun...

Taken from James Riordan's The Sun Maiden and the Crescent Moon, this lovely story comes from the Yuit people of Siberia. Emphasizing the importance of selfless dedication, which wins out over both strength and speed, it explains how the moon and stars came to be. Durga Bernhard's gouache and acrylic illustrations, in pastel shades that perfectly capture the cool and shadowy world being depicted, are rich in folk motif and allusion, inspired (according to a brief note from the artist) by the traditional masks of the native peoples of Alaska and Siberia, and by contemporary Inuit stonecut prints. All in all, a lovely retelling, with both visual and narrative appeal - young folktale lovers are sure to appreciate this one! ( )

This was showing that the Hare was strong, fast, and brave. No matter what is your size always give it try because you might just be the one to accomplish your goal. ( )