Books in Legends and Fairy Tales series

The sixth tale in our Legend series, The Legend of the Petoskey Stone focuses on the naming of this unique fossil, found only on the shores of Lake Michigan. From the ancient, warm sea that covered most of the state, through Native American history and the history of the town named after a great chief, The Legend of the Petoskey Stone is a welcome addition to the fables so richly told and illustrated by this much-loved and honored children's book team.Author Kathy-jo Wargin has earned national acclaim through award-winning children's classics such as Michigan's official state book, The Legend of Sleeping Bear, Children's Choice Award winner The Legend of the Loon, The Edmund Fitzgerald: Song of the Bell, and many others. Kathy-jo enjoys writing about nature and its effect on all our lives, and is a frequent guest speaker throughout the country. She is also a faculty member of the Bear River Writers Workshop, sponsored by the University of Michigan. She lives in Petoskey, Michigan. Since the publication of The Legend of Sleeping Bear, artist Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen has been an established presence in the world of children's book illustration. His many other titles with Sleeping Bear Press include The Edmund Fitzgerald: Song of the Bell, Adopted by an Owl, Jam & Jelly by Holly & Nellie, and The Legend of Leelanau. Gijsbert and his family live in Bath, Michigan.

Sweet-smelling basil marks the spot in this treasure hunt led by a queenly saint...join her as she treks to Jerusalem in search of the Holy Cross of Jesus Christ! In this fabulous and instructive blend of tale and history, children ages 5-8 will be inspired by the lore and legend of the faith. Boys and girls alike will be captivated by Helen, a heroic empress on a mission, and will be encouraged to treasure the Holy Cross in their own lives! As children accompany Helen on her quest to find the true cross upon which Jesus died, they will relive her adventures. They will experience Helen's excitement when she thinks she has discovered the 'X' that marks the spot-sweet-smelling basil-since basil is the herb of kings and Jesus is the King of Life. But just as it seems that the site of the Holy Cross has been identified, not one, but three crosses are found while digging... How will the one true cross be determined? Read on to discover the legend of the Holy Cross and learn all about Helen's thrilling life! Features & Benefits Contains an opening hymn and prayer Includes a brief biography of Saint Helen following the legend Mentions the locations where the true cross exists today Concludes with a quote from Emperor Constantine's letter to Bishop Macarius.

Long, long ago, the ancient people of the forest gathered around warm fires and told the tale of a time long past, when the land known as "Michigane" was covered with ice and snow. For thousands of years the cruel North Wind ruled the land North of Up North, chasing away the gentle, benevolent winds from the East, West and South. Winter stayed the whole year round, so nothing could live in Michigane. Not until an old warrior and a young boy traveled through the frigid cold with nothing but warm hearts and an old pair of mittens was there hope that the frozen land would eventually come to life.Trinka Hakes Noble is the noted author of numerous award-winning picture books including The Scarlet Stockings Spy, the ever-popular Jimmy's Boa series and Meanwhile Back at the Ranch (both featured on Reading Rainbow). Her many awards include ALANotable Children's Book, Booklist Children's Editors' Choice, IRA-CBC Children's Choice, Learning: The Year's Ten Best, and several Junior Literary Guild Selections. Trinka makes her home in Bernardsville, New Jersey. The Legend of Michigan is the 20th book that Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen has illustrated for Sleeping Bear Press. His other titles include The Legend of Sleeping Bear, the #1 Midwest bestselling Legend of the Petoskey Stone, and Texas Bluebonnet runner-up Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot. Gijsbert and his family live in Bath, Michigan.

The fantastic Legend team of Kathy-jo Wargin and Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen have another beautiful book to add to the Sleeping Bear and Mackinac Island stories. A Grandmother's love for her grandchildren is magically portrayed in "The Legend of the Loon". A perfect addition to your collection, this book remains true to the heartwarming qualities you've come to expect from these legendary storytellers.

While nearly everyone has a memory of their own favorite tattered teddy bear, the details of the day President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt refused to shoot a bear have been lost to time. Now, nearly 100 years later, the legend that has grown around that fateful encounter will captivate you in this delightful tale.Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen brings his magical touch to another great American legend with illustratons for the origins of America's favorite stuffed animal and how it got its name. Author Frank Murphy shares the history and lucky timing of two candy store entrepreneurs who took the story of President Theodore Roosevelt's warm-hearted gesture in refusing to shoot a cornered bear and turned it into a legend of the toy world. Relive the memory of your own timeless, tattered "Teddy's" bear with The Legend of the Teddy Bear.

At the southernmost tip of New Jersey lie the resort town of Cape May and its sparkling sandy beaches, sheltering the Delaware Bay. Formed by melting glaciers thousands of years past, the Delaware River flows from its headwaters to spill into the Delaware Bay. And for thousands of years, fragments of quartz rock have ridden the river, plucked from the mountains lining its banks. Polished and buffed as they tumble along, these rock particles dazzle like gemstones when tossed onto Cape May's sandy shores. Beloved by beachcombers, these "diamonds" are the daughters of the river, linking the state's past and present. Delving into the natural beauty of New Jersey's famous coastline, storyteller Trinka Hakes Noble has crafted a wondrous tale explaining the origin of the Cape May Diamond.Trinka Hakes Noble's award-winning picture books include The Last Brother, The Scarlet Stockings Spy (an IRATeachers' Choice, 2005), and the popular Jimmy's Boa series. Her awards include ALANotable Children's Book, IRA-CBC Children's Choice, and several Junior Literary Guild Selections. She lives in Bernardsville, New Jersey. E.B. Lewis is the acclaimed illustrator of numerous award-winning picture books, including the 2005 Caldecott Honor Book, Coming On Home Soon. He teaches illustration at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and is a member of the Society of Illustrators in New York City. He lives in Folsom, New Jersey.

Voyageur is the French word for "traveler," but in the Great Lakes region during the seventeenth century it described those men who made their living trading furs and goods along water routes. Traveling by canoe, these voyageurs helped to establish north woods trading posts and settlements, opening up the West to future exploration. Young Jacques's father is such a voyageur. He works long hours in bitterly cold weather, absent from home for weeks at a time. As he awaits his father's return from a season of trading, Jacques dreams of the day he will hold the canoe paddle and join the ranks of voyageurs.Author Kathy-jo Wargin is known for her many stories celebrating Great Lakes lore and north woods history including the 2001 IRA Children's Choice Award winner, The Legend of the Loon. She lives with her family in Petoskey, Michigan. David Geister's body of work with Sleeping Bear Press continues to grow and includes The Legend of Minnesota, also written by Kathy-jo Wargin. He specializes in historic art and has a background in commercial art. David lives with his family in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The definition of the word "Minnesota" is known to most as the Dakotah word for "sky-tinted waters." However, in her research about the origin of the state's name, acclaimed author and native Minnesotan Kathy-jo Wargin uncovered a little-known, but age-old, Ojibwe tale. The Legend of Minnesota tells the story of an enduring friendship between an Ojibwe girl and a Dakotah boy, and how their kindness toward one another gives the beautiful land of Minnesota its name.Author Kathy-jo Wargin has won acclaim for many of her children's titles -- including the bestselling Legend of Sleeping Bear and The Legend of the Lady's Slipper. Kathy-jo lives with her family in Petoskey, Michigan. David Geister specializes in historic art, has a background in commercial art, and frequently works on commission for an ever-growing number of private collectors. This is his first children's book. David lives with his family in Minneapolis, Minnesota.