title: How Snowshoe Hare Rescued the Sun: A Tale from the Arctic
author:  Emery Bernhard 
description: Fresh language and striking illustrations rescue what could have been a humdrum retelling of a tale borrowed from the Yuit people of the northeast tip of Siberia. Greedy demons steal the sun, leaving the earth cold and dark for its animal populace. Old Snowy Owl calls a great council to decide who should rescue the sun from its captors. Bear is chosen for the task but gets sidetracked by some tasty berries. Wolf sets out next but falls asleep on the way. Finally, Snowshoe Hare takes on the challenge, never stopping to eat or seek shelter. Facing great danger, he retrieves the sun and kicks it up into the sky where it breaks into a brighter sun, a moon and stars. Each animal represents some human foible or strength, with the quiet rabbit hero exhibiting selflessness and courage. The gouache and acrylic paintings, inspired--as the artist notes in the book's introduction--"by ritual masks and carved objects of native peoples of Alaska and Siberia and by contemporary Inuit stonecut prints," feature sleek lines and pleasingly unexpected color combinations. With their wintry colors, these illustrations complement the quiet, dignified cadences of this traditional folktale. Ages 4-8. <BR>Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
zlib_text: 
  
  
  ![cover](9781788000185_cover_epub.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](a00i_01_online.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “Done it!” said Ida. The lines of the drawing shivered and then suddenly they
  vanished and a real sleigh with green sides and red runners and a seat just
  big enough for three people was in the snow next to them. The pony jumped in
  surprise and snorted.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](a00ii_1_online.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](title_image_online.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](a001_1_online.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Prologue
  
  
  
  
  
  A biting wind blew across the island of Nordovia. It swept from the jagged
  ice-capped mountains in the north to the snowy plains and dark pinewoods of
  the south. The sky was iron–grey and seemed to press down on the land. Wolves
  howled mournfully in the woods while Arctic foxes and hares hid in their dens
  and people huddled round the fires in their cottages.
  
  
  Once Nordovia had been a glittering, happy place, lit by the magical