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Sister Bear: A Norse Tale
There was a young girl named Halva up in Finnmark who found a white bear cub alone in the woods...Halva takes the cub home, where they name her Sister Bear. Not only does Sister Bear hunt for the family and protect Halva, but she likes to dance while Halva plays the flute. Halva decides to show off Sister Bear to the king of Denmark. But on their journey, they run into trouble with some big, ugly, hungry trolls, and Halva learns just how lucky she is to have a loving friend like Sister Bear. Author Jane Yolen, often called "the Hans Christian Anderson of America" for her work in fairy tales, is perfectly matched with illustrator Linda Graves, whose richly detailed art is rendered in pastel, colored pencil, and watercolor.
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2011
16 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Jane Yolen
971 books3,229 followersJane Yolen is a novelist, poet, fantasist, journalist, songwriter, storyteller, folklorist, and children’s book author who has written more than three hundred books. Her accolades include the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Awards, the Kerlan Award, two Christopher Awards, and six honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Born and raised in New York City, the mother of three and the grandmother of six, Yolen lives in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 26, 2018
Based upon a Norwegian folktale collected in Asbjørnsen and Moe's
Norske Folkeeventyr
, entitled Kjetta på Dovre ("The Cat on the Dovrefell"), Jane Yolen's Sister Bear is the story of a girl, her bear companion, and the Christmas Eve they spend, en route to the King of Denmark, in a farmhouse afflicted with trolls. Having raised Sister Bear since she was a tiny cub, Halva decides that she should be shown to the Danish king, said to value marvels, as she is so well-trained. Their Christmas Eve stopover at the farmhouse of a man named Gusterson results in the ejection of a band of noxious trolls who have plagued the house every holiday season, and the forming of a new friendship for Halva, Sister Bear, and Halva's parents.
I cannot say that Yolen's retelling of this tale - which can also be found, in various forms, in such books as Jan Brett's Who's That Knocking on Christmas Eve? and Tomie dePaola's The Cat on the Dovrefell: A Christmas Tale - particularly impressed me. I found the narrative rather lackluster, and wasn't sure why it was necessary to make the protagonist a girl, rather than a man or boy, as in the original. It's not as if the story collection from which this comes is lacking in girls going on heroic journeys - East o' the Sun and West o' the Moon, anyone? - and I couldn't see that having a female protagonist added in any way to the meaning of the story, making the change feel intrusive. I was also a little surprised to see that Yolen claimed, in her brief forward, that Asbjørnsen and Moe's collection was translated in English by Sir George Webbe Dasent in 1888, when of course it was first translated in 1869. Perhaps she was referring to a later translation, of the fuller collection? In any case, that should have been made clear.
The artwork here, done in pastel, colored pencil and watercolor by Linda Graves, reminded me of the work of Jan Brett, which is rather ironic, since Brett has herself done a retelling of this tale. It was pretty, but not compelling enough to lift this above the average, when it came to my reading enjoyment. A book that young folklore and fairy-tale readers will enjoy, Sister Bear is a title I am glad to have read, given my interest in folktales, but I cannot say that it is an outstanding contribution to the genre.
I cannot say that Yolen's retelling of this tale - which can also be found, in various forms, in such books as Jan Brett's Who's That Knocking on Christmas Eve? and Tomie dePaola's The Cat on the Dovrefell: A Christmas Tale - particularly impressed me. I found the narrative rather lackluster, and wasn't sure why it was necessary to make the protagonist a girl, rather than a man or boy, as in the original. It's not as if the story collection from which this comes is lacking in girls going on heroic journeys - East o' the Sun and West o' the Moon, anyone? - and I couldn't see that having a female protagonist added in any way to the meaning of the story, making the change feel intrusive. I was also a little surprised to see that Yolen claimed, in her brief forward, that Asbjørnsen and Moe's collection was translated in English by Sir George Webbe Dasent in 1888, when of course it was first translated in 1869. Perhaps she was referring to a later translation, of the fuller collection? In any case, that should have been made clear.
The artwork here, done in pastel, colored pencil and watercolor by Linda Graves, reminded me of the work of Jan Brett, which is rather ironic, since Brett has herself done a retelling of this tale. It was pretty, but not compelling enough to lift this above the average, when it came to my reading enjoyment. A book that young folklore and fairy-tale readers will enjoy, Sister Bear is a title I am glad to have read, given my interest in folktales, but I cannot say that it is an outstanding contribution to the genre.
February 21, 2017
Jane Yolen retells this Norse folktale about Halva and her foundling pet polar bear, Sister Bear. It's been told under different titles, including "The Cat on the Dovrefell," which I'm sure I read as a picture book some years ago. In this story, Sister Bear grows to help the family get food, and Halva is determined to take Sister Bear to show the King of Denmark. Along the way they encounter some nasty trolls--and you'll have to read the rest yourself! The illustrations by Linda Graves are absolutely gorgeous and remind me of those of Jan Brett in their Scandinavian artwork, detail, and colors. An author's note at the beginning of the book explains the story's origin and even provides a web address where you can read a version of it online. A lovely story to be read on a winter's afternoon. Recommended!
June 16, 2020
Beautiful little story. The narration is okay, but the detailed illustrations are really what shine here.
August 2, 2018
Lovely illustrations accompany this Norse folk tale of a young girl and her "sister" bear. The bear is so talented and helpful, that the young girl sets off to show Sister to the King of Denmark. On the way, they are able to help the Gusterson family.
February 4, 2020
A fun, troll-stomping heroine and her sister-bear traverse the countryside on their way to visit the king of Denmark.
November 18, 2013
I have to say that Linda Graves has produced a simply stunningly set of images for Jane Yolen's retelling of this classic Norse tale. They are just gorgeous, with a rich palette, and definite fairytale vibe. And I mention this aspect first of the book first, because her work takes this book from being so-so to something special.
The story itself it known by other titles. Yolen has chosen a simple, more easily remembered name, and has also changed the main character from a man to a golden-haired girl to be more kid-friendly.
The book begins when the little girl, Halva, finds a bear cub. She waits, and when mother bear doesn't show up, she takes the cub home. Eventually the bear becomes a 'full' member of the family and they call her Sister Bear. And the action really gets going when Halva decides to take Sister Bear to see the King of Denmark. On the way she asks for shelter from a fairly well off home owner --a jarl, I would think. But to her surprise, she's told that though it is Christmas Eve, everyone is leaving because of the trolls.
Apparently trolls know a good thing, you see, because every Christmas Eve they come down from the hills, eat the jarl's food and trash the place with their partying. Halva hears the man, but decides to stay --alone with her bear.
I won't say more, except that everything works out well for the humans and bears; and that obviously it's a good thing to be kind when you have the opportunity.
SISTER BEAR is not the most fantastic of folktales, but it is well told by Yolen, and beautifully illustrated.
Worth a read.
Pam
(sample pages and more, on site)
The story itself it known by other titles. Yolen has chosen a simple, more easily remembered name, and has also changed the main character from a man to a golden-haired girl to be more kid-friendly.
The book begins when the little girl, Halva, finds a bear cub. She waits, and when mother bear doesn't show up, she takes the cub home. Eventually the bear becomes a 'full' member of the family and they call her Sister Bear. And the action really gets going when Halva decides to take Sister Bear to see the King of Denmark. On the way she asks for shelter from a fairly well off home owner --a jarl, I would think. But to her surprise, she's told that though it is Christmas Eve, everyone is leaving because of the trolls.
Apparently trolls know a good thing, you see, because every Christmas Eve they come down from the hills, eat the jarl's food and trash the place with their partying. Halva hears the man, but decides to stay --alone with her bear.
I won't say more, except that everything works out well for the humans and bears; and that obviously it's a good thing to be kind when you have the opportunity.
SISTER BEAR is not the most fantastic of folktales, but it is well told by Yolen, and beautifully illustrated.
Worth a read.
Pam
(sample pages and more, on site)
January 20, 2015
This Norwegian folktale is beautifully enhanced by Linda Graves' gorgeous illustrations. She uses Scandinavian designs and motifs throughout the book for visual accuracy. The trolls are really ugly, and the bear both cuddly and fiercely menacing (towards the trolls).
August 31, 2015
I was really torn giving stars to this book. The pictures deserve 5 stars. Simply beautiful. I love the Scandinavian details. But the story is a three. My daughters loved it though.
May 30, 2022
Dude. If you're a big fan of Jan Brett you'll like this one.
This was so cool. I loved the illustrations.
This was so cool. I loved the illustrations.
April 19, 2025
This is a slight variation on the fable by Peter Kristen Asbjornsen. In this adaptation, instead of a man, there is a girl named Halva, who found an orphaned white bear cub. One day Halva set out to take her bear to visit the king who liked remarkable things. On the way they stopped at a family’s cottage for a night stay. The family is getting ready to leave because of a pack of trolls who tear up the place every Christmas Eve. Halva and her bear stay to deal with the trolls. Gorgeous illustrations.
October 22, 2023
This book is about how a girl who finds a bear cub, and this bear cub because part of the family. The girl and sister bear go to a trip, and one night they stay at this family's house, and they are warned about the trolls. Sister bear scares them off, and they never come back. This book is such a fun read. This could be used in the classroom as a read aloud, or an interactive read aloud. You could also have the students change the ending of the book as an activity.
March 5, 2017
I thought this book was adorable. It is a fairly long folktale that incorporates lots of foods and traditions from Denmark! The illustrations are amazing, and it kept me engaged. There is limited white space, and the fact that one of the main characters was an animal, probably helps children pay attention even better!
February 23, 2017
A beautiful book
With a simple, well - told story to go with it, full of spaces for children to ask questions and the reader to insert details at their own discretion. The illustrations are lush and detailed in contrast. Great book!
With a simple, well - told story to go with it, full of spaces for children to ask questions and the reader to insert details at their own discretion. The illustrations are lush and detailed in contrast. Great book!
May 20, 2017
A very fun story of a Danish Christmas
This is a story with a little girl, her big white bear who does tricks, their trip to see the king of Denmark, their meeting of the Gunersons, and a skirmish with giant trolls. All's well in the end.
This is a story with a little girl, her big white bear who does tricks, their trip to see the king of Denmark, their meeting of the Gunersons, and a skirmish with giant trolls. All's well in the end.
May 31, 2017
Adorable
I wish I had grandchildren with which to share this charming story. The illustrations are incredible and so sweet. This would be a fine addition to any child's library.
I wish I had grandchildren with which to share this charming story. The illustrations are incredible and so sweet. This would be a fine addition to any child's library.
December 13, 2017
A Christmas themed retelling of 'Kjetta på Dovre', a Norwegian folktale collected by Asbjørnsen og Moe. In this one, our hero is a girl and her 'cat'.
January 22, 2019
Very sweet story
Beautifully illustrated. Interesting as a pop up book. Not what I was expecting. It is the text that enlarges, not any of the illustrations.
Beautifully illustrated. Interesting as a pop up book. Not what I was expecting. It is the text that enlarges, not any of the illustrations.
August 14, 2019
Beautiful illustrations.
December 13, 2021
A Christmas twist on a classic Norwegian folktale. The story has been told before, but this version has beautiful illustrations.
December 20, 2021
The illustrations are beautiful and lovingly display intricate details of the clothes, in particular. The illustrations strongly sets the story in Norse culture.
November 27, 2022
It was a cute story. I really enjoyed it
August 8, 2023
Absolutely gorgeous illustrations to go along with a story I was not familiar with. Has made me curious to read more Norse folk tales.
December 20, 2023
Lovely illustrations. Imaginative story of a pet bear.
October 4, 2011
Is it just me or does Yolen come out with a new book every other week or so? How's does one achieve that? Even with children's books? I get annoyed when authors push out book after book after book after book with no breather no matter how good they are. That's a conversation for another time though.
Sister Bear got me with the title and cover, as many books do. The story is adapted from Peter Christen Asbjørnsen's and Jorgen Moe's Popular Tales from the Norse: With an Introductory Essay On the Origin and Diffusion of Popular Tales. The story is also in East o' the Sun and West o' the Moon if anyone cares.
The story can also be found on-line on a number of sites, including, http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type1161.html under the title The Bear Trainer and His Cat,http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/ptn/p... under the title The Cat on the Dovrefell and http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/au.... These versions are slightly different than what is here in this book but they're worth reading all the same IMO.
The illustrations with this book have that old-timey feel that Julia usually don't go for but she was completely taken by this book. She pored over each page and made me stop to reread certain passages. I think the responsibility that fell on this girls shoulders was what fascinated Julia so much. The fact that this young girl could be trusted with going to the city, all alone except her bear, on a journey that would take days, is appealing. That's saying nothing of the fact that she found, kept and raised a bear!
I especially liked the turn the story took with the trolls. I was expecting it and I could tell Julia wasn't either. We were expecting something with the king and the bear and instead we got trolls and a bear and a king and a bear.
All in all it's a really great story.... and I want a bear cub of my own. So does Julia.
Sister Bear got me with the title and cover, as many books do. The story is adapted from Peter Christen Asbjørnsen's and Jorgen Moe's Popular Tales from the Norse: With an Introductory Essay On the Origin and Diffusion of Popular Tales. The story is also in East o' the Sun and West o' the Moon if anyone cares.
The story can also be found on-line on a number of sites, including, http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type1161.html under the title The Bear Trainer and His Cat,http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/ptn/p... under the title The Cat on the Dovrefell and http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/au.... These versions are slightly different than what is here in this book but they're worth reading all the same IMO.
The illustrations with this book have that old-timey feel that Julia usually don't go for but she was completely taken by this book. She pored over each page and made me stop to reread certain passages. I think the responsibility that fell on this girls shoulders was what fascinated Julia so much. The fact that this young girl could be trusted with going to the city, all alone except her bear, on a journey that would take days, is appealing. That's saying nothing of the fact that she found, kept and raised a bear!
I especially liked the turn the story took with the trolls. I was expecting it and I could tell Julia wasn't either. We were expecting something with the king and the bear and instead we got trolls and a bear and a king and a bear.
All in all it's a really great story.... and I want a bear cub of my own. So does Julia.
December 21, 2015
Summarize the book
This book is a retelling of an old Norse tale, set in Finnmark and Denmark, in which a girl adopts a polar bear as a pet, against her parents better judgement. The bear, Sister Bear, grows big and the girl trains it to perform and it wears beautiful clothes. It also hunts for the family. One day the girl, Halva, decides to take the bear to perform for the king of Denmark and on her way over the mountains on Christmas Eve, she asks a family if she and Sister Bear may stay at their house. The family says the Halva and Sister Bear may stay but that they are leaving. Every year on Christmas Eve a large family of trolls comes and trashes their house and the family must leave a feast for them or else...Halva takes them up on their offer, sees the family off, and waits for the trolls. The trolls come and begin to wreck havoc on the home but Halva and Sister Bear trick them and ultimately Sister Bear drives the terrified trolls back into the mountains. The family returns the next day to a clean house with a new feast and they are amazed. They thank Halva and Sister Bear and invite them back next Christmas. As they head off for Denmark again, the encounter the trolls in the woods. The trolls are afraid of Halva and Sister Bear and ask if they will be with the family again next year. She replies, "yes" and the trolls are sad that they can never return.
Halva and Sister Bear, make their way to Denmark where Sister Bear performs for the king. They return home safely and spend Christmas Eve with the family in the mountains each year thereafter.
Identify the characteristics from the text that support the specific genre
Trolls, an animal with human characteristics, trickery and a story which is documented to have come from the oral tradition originally.
Identify specific concepts that could be integrated into the classroom.
Nordic geography; traditional dress and folk motifs in the illustrations, traditional story form.
Offer any other suggestions that would be useful regarding literary content, reading level, and other ways in which the book might be integrated.
A few years back after reading this at home with my own family -it is part of our Christmas book collection- I spontaneously lapsed into an oral telling of it while I walked in the woods with my preschool class. The form and details are simple enough that it was an easy springboard for oral storytelling. And, the setting of the woods was great. Much appreciated by the children.
This book is a retelling of an old Norse tale, set in Finnmark and Denmark, in which a girl adopts a polar bear as a pet, against her parents better judgement. The bear, Sister Bear, grows big and the girl trains it to perform and it wears beautiful clothes. It also hunts for the family. One day the girl, Halva, decides to take the bear to perform for the king of Denmark and on her way over the mountains on Christmas Eve, she asks a family if she and Sister Bear may stay at their house. The family says the Halva and Sister Bear may stay but that they are leaving. Every year on Christmas Eve a large family of trolls comes and trashes their house and the family must leave a feast for them or else...Halva takes them up on their offer, sees the family off, and waits for the trolls. The trolls come and begin to wreck havoc on the home but Halva and Sister Bear trick them and ultimately Sister Bear drives the terrified trolls back into the mountains. The family returns the next day to a clean house with a new feast and they are amazed. They thank Halva and Sister Bear and invite them back next Christmas. As they head off for Denmark again, the encounter the trolls in the woods. The trolls are afraid of Halva and Sister Bear and ask if they will be with the family again next year. She replies, "yes" and the trolls are sad that they can never return.
Halva and Sister Bear, make their way to Denmark where Sister Bear performs for the king. They return home safely and spend Christmas Eve with the family in the mountains each year thereafter.
Identify the characteristics from the text that support the specific genre
Trolls, an animal with human characteristics, trickery and a story which is documented to have come from the oral tradition originally.
Identify specific concepts that could be integrated into the classroom.
Nordic geography; traditional dress and folk motifs in the illustrations, traditional story form.
Offer any other suggestions that would be useful regarding literary content, reading level, and other ways in which the book might be integrated.
A few years back after reading this at home with my own family -it is part of our Christmas book collection- I spontaneously lapsed into an oral telling of it while I walked in the woods with my preschool class. The form and details are simple enough that it was an easy springboard for oral storytelling. And, the setting of the woods was great. Much appreciated by the children.
February 21, 2017
Utterly delightful tale--and those illustrations! This is one I'll pick up time and again...as much for me as for any little ones I have opportunity to read it to.
February 17, 2013
Mommy's review from 10/4/11 -
Is it just me or does Yolen come out with a new book every other week or so? How's does one achieve that? Even with children's books? I get annoyed when authors push out book after book after book after book with no breather no matter how good they are. That's a conversation for another time though.
Sister Bear got me with the title and cover, as many books do. The story is adapted from Peter Christen Asbjørnsen's and Jorgen Moe's Popular Tales from the Norse: With an Introductory Essay On the Origin and Diffusion of Popular Tales. The story is also in East o' the Sun and West o' the Moon if anyone cares.
The story can also be found on-line on a number of sites, including, http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type1161.html under the title The Bear Trainer and His Cat,http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/ptn/p... under the title The Cat on the Dovrefell and http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/au.... These versions are slightly different than what is here in this book but they're worth reading all the same IMO.
The illustrations with this book have that old-timey feel that Julia usually don't go for but she was completely taken by this book. She pored over each page and made me stop to reread certain passages. I think the responsibility that fell on this girls shoulders was what fascinated Julia so much. The fact that this young girl could be trusted with going to the city, all alone except her bear, on a journey that would take days, is appealing. That's saying nothing of the fact that she found, kept and raised a bear!
I especially liked the turn the story took with the trolls. I was expecting it and I could tell Julia wasn't either. We were expecting something with the king and the bear and instead we got trolls and a bear and a king and a bear.
All in all it's a really great story.... and I want a bear cub of my own. So does Julia.
Is it just me or does Yolen come out with a new book every other week or so? How's does one achieve that? Even with children's books? I get annoyed when authors push out book after book after book after book with no breather no matter how good they are. That's a conversation for another time though.
Sister Bear got me with the title and cover, as many books do. The story is adapted from Peter Christen Asbjørnsen's and Jorgen Moe's Popular Tales from the Norse: With an Introductory Essay On the Origin and Diffusion of Popular Tales. The story is also in East o' the Sun and West o' the Moon if anyone cares.
The story can also be found on-line on a number of sites, including, http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type1161.html under the title The Bear Trainer and His Cat,http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/ptn/p... under the title The Cat on the Dovrefell and http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/au.... These versions are slightly different than what is here in this book but they're worth reading all the same IMO.
The illustrations with this book have that old-timey feel that Julia usually don't go for but she was completely taken by this book. She pored over each page and made me stop to reread certain passages. I think the responsibility that fell on this girls shoulders was what fascinated Julia so much. The fact that this young girl could be trusted with going to the city, all alone except her bear, on a journey that would take days, is appealing. That's saying nothing of the fact that she found, kept and raised a bear!
I especially liked the turn the story took with the trolls. I was expecting it and I could tell Julia wasn't either. We were expecting something with the king and the bear and instead we got trolls and a bear and a king and a bear.
All in all it's a really great story.... and I want a bear cub of my own. So does Julia.
March 13, 2014
Halva finds a white bear cub alone in the woods. She takes the cub home after waiting for the cub's mother who never showed up throughout the day. Halva and her bear cub were not welcomed by her parents because they feared the bear would eat up everything in the house, and then eat them after; but with time, the bear became friendly, not only to Halva, but to the parents too. The bear is named "Sister Bear," after the parents became impressed with its activities - hunting, entertaining and guarding the family. Halva decides to visit the king of Denmark with the entertaining bear and on the journey to the king, they find the Gusterson's in trouble with trolls. Halva and Sister Bear drive away the trolls, visited the king and bring back gifts. Sister Bear becomes a friend to the king, a terror to the trolls a savior of the Gusterson's and a member of Halva's family.
There are many vocabulary words that I will share with children - petticoat, cub, bear, misgivings, sleigh, ptarmigan and many more. There will be brainstorming after the story. For example, "Where is Denmark?" The children will learn to convenience their parents to accept their pets and would want to know which animals are friendly. Can bears be accepted as pets?
There are many vocabulary words that I will share with children - petticoat, cub, bear, misgivings, sleigh, ptarmigan and many more. There will be brainstorming after the story. For example, "Where is Denmark?" The children will learn to convenience their parents to accept their pets and would want to know which animals are friendly. Can bears be accepted as pets?
January 9, 2012
Jane Yolen switches up a traditional Norse tale by changing the main character from a young man to a girl. A girl finds a bear cub in the forest and brings her home. Her mother and father are reluctant bear adopters. They are afraid that the bear will eat them out of house and home and then eat them! But, the bear becomes Sister Bear and helps provide for the family. The girl decides to head to Denmark to show her performing bear off to the king and along the way saves a family from perpetual nasty Christmas visits by a band of trolls. This is a good book to read at Christmas time and will appeal to adults and kids who want to learn more about traditional Norse tales. The illustrations are also marvelous.
September 4, 2015
I'm hard on this because I love the story of the Trolls on the Doverfell so much. Especially (from a record of my childhood) "Hal-VOR, Hal-VOR, Have you still got your KITTY?!"
This is an interesting adaptation of the story-- with a girl instead of a man as the bear-keeper-- and I love the illustrations, but the ending just didn't feel right to me, and the wording of the second half of the story seemed to stumble. Also, by moving the inquiry from the trolls not to the next year but the next day, it ruined my favorite part! But the illustrations of the Trolls were amazing, and I loved all the detailing in the images!
This is an interesting adaptation of the story-- with a girl instead of a man as the bear-keeper-- and I love the illustrations, but the ending just didn't feel right to me, and the wording of the second half of the story seemed to stumble. Also, by moving the inquiry from the trolls not to the next year but the next day, it ruined my favorite part! But the illustrations of the Trolls were amazing, and I loved all the detailing in the images!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews