"Aya understands that this garbage must be
completely burned. If the bears get used to
it, they might be attracted to the human world.
That would be dangerous for them and for humans.
This is how the Oroqen share the forest with
bears. Respect them, be in awe of them, and
keep away from them."
I cannot imagine any child not wanting to know more about this book from their first glance. How can you possibly not want to know more about the bear that graces its cover?
The opening page explains:
This book takes place among the Oroqen, an ethnic group
who live in the forests and mountains of Greater and
Lesser Khingan, in northern China. They are hunters.
Aya is sound asleep when Grandma calls for her to get up. Grandpa is back with food for breakfast and plans for the day. He wants to take his granddaughter with him in a search for bears. Aya has been longing for such an adventure; she has never seen a bear. The two mount their horses, leaving the noisy dogs behind them. Grandpa has always been Aya's guide to the beauty of the woodlands and all it hides.
As they ride, they take note of all that is happening in their natural surroundings: changing colors, trees, migrating birds, a hare family enjoying the sunshine, and roe deer watching them pass by. As owl passes too closely, causing Aya and Grandpa to bend their heads and hurry away. Moving on to the wetlands, they notice that the fox family they have been watching all summer now has grown kits who are ready for their own home. Many animals share the land with the Oroqen people.
A river valley is next. They leave the horses there and walk on to the pine woods where the bears live. Once settled in the thick bushes, they sit silently ... waiting! A mother bear and her three cubs eventually come out of forest, leaving Aya breathless. They watch as the bears play together, and finally rest. Later, when Grandpa whistles, the bears quickly depart. Before they head home, the two gather the garbage left behind by forest visitors, and light it all on fire. Grandpa does not want the bears to become accustomed to the presence of humans.
Once the fire has been extinguished, the two head back the way they came, gathering berries along the way, a gift from the autumn forest. The bears will find no scent of humans, and will then search to find their own food as they prepare for a long winter's sleep.
A final few pages offer further information about the Oroqen, and the way their lives have changed through the years.
In keeping with the patience required to catch her first glimpse of a bear, the text moves clearly and quietly as it describes the shared adventure. Warm and absolutely stunning natural surroundings are shown in artwork done with mineral pigments. It is a lovely book!
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