thumb|right|H. A. Rey's alternative asterism for Ursa Major can be said to give it the longer head and neck of a polar bear, as seen in this photo, from the left side. Noted children's book author H. A. Rey, in his 1952 book The Stars: A New Way to See Them, () had a different asterism in mind for Ursa Major, that instead had the "bear" image of the constellation oriented with Alkaid as the tip of the bear's nose, and the "handle" of the Big Dipper part of the constellation forming the outline of the top of the bear's head and neck, rearwards to the shoulder, potentially giving it the longer head and neck of a polar bear.
thumb|right|h a rey's alternative asterism for ursa major can be said to give it the longer head and neck of a polar bear as seen in this photo from the left side noted children's book author h a rey in his 1952 book the stars a new way to see them () had a different asterism in mind for ursa major that instead had the "bear" image of the constellation oriented with alkaid as the tip of the bear's nose and the "handle" of the big dipper part of the constellation forming the outline of the top of the bear's head and neck rearwards to the shoulder potentially giving it the longer head and neck of a polar bear