A Dream Come True -- Billi Bear, Medicine Woman, and Spider

Book excerpt: A brilliant portrayal of Cultural Diversity, by behaviorist Barbara Kennedy, who is also the author and narrator of “The Fox and the Hawk.” This gentle illustrated story will make you laugh and cry. The simplicity and clever repartee show the reader what love looks like, pure and simple. The story takes place in a small fishing town, Pink Salmon Bay, Alaska. The reader will understand some of the challenges in a community; what fear looks like, and "mob mentality" in the village. Annika Spider Woman says, “Fear and envy made them mean and stupid.” That was pretty direct and refreshing. This new wave of educating a very broad demographic, with no political agenda and no personal voices, is welcomed in the young reader section. The soft message is tucked inside the legends of the Indigenous Peoples’ Dream Catchers, the Mandalas; how they are made, what they mean, and how they are meant to be utilized. The Spider weaves the webs that will catch the best dreams for the children that Annika puts to bed each evening. The villagers teach Billi Bear to play ice hockey, and he shows them how to catch fish with their hands. Annika, a widow, is lonely and wishes for a family of her own. Spider tells her, " If there is a dream out there, we'll catch it." And she sets out to weave and tat an "installation" that will attract the most extraordinary dream come true. It does not disappoint Annika or the reader. For all ages.