From Publishers Weekly
In this fictionalized retelling of an event that occurred in the summer of 1783, three-year-old Sarah Whitcher wanders into the New Hampshire woods and disappears. After four days, a community search party comes upon Sarah's footprints with bear tracks beside them, and concludes the worst: "She's been torn to pieces!" The next day, a stranger appears, claiming that he has seen the child in a dream. The vision leads to Sarah's rescue, and the community celebrates her safe return with a great feast. Readers will be intrigued by the authors' real-life connection to the story's heroine (Sarah is an ancestor of sisters Kinsey and Kinsey-Warnock). Although Rand's watercolors include some cliched poses (as when Sarah curls up beside the bear with her hands neatly clasped under her head), their luminous gray-green palette is appropriately woodsy. Without being overtly cute, Sarah's ursine rescuer is a particularly benign and cozy presence. Plainly told, this sturdy tale exudes comfort. Ages 4-8. Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Kirkus Reviews
In 1783, three-year-old Sarah Whitcher (the authors' great- great-great-great-great-aunt) wandered into the woods near Warren, New Hampshire; four days later, she was found by a man who had dreamed that she under a particular pine, guarded by a bear. Some of the searchers--who found Sarah surrounded by bear tracks--recorded this experience, as did Sarah herself, years later. Alternating between Sarah's journey (unafraid of the endearingly gentle animal because she thinks it's a ``big black dog,'' she curls up next to it and goes to sleep) and the family and neighbors' search, the authors re-create the incident in a simple, direct narrative enlivened with dialogue and authentic detail. Rand's settings--especially the darkening forest, in luminous shades of gray-green, and the soft, furry bear--are beautifully painted; his humans are a bit trite and over-pretty, but that's a small flaw in an unusually appealing slice of Americana. (Picture book. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.


Card catalog description
A fictionalized retelling of the true story of three-year-old Sarah Whitcher, who, in 1783, became lost in the woods of New Hampshire and was protected by a bear until her rescue four days later.

ANNOTATION

A fictionalized retelling of the true story of three-year-old Sarah Whitcher, who, in 1783, became lost in the woods of New Hampshire and was protected by a bear until her rescue four days later.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A fictionalized retelling of the true story of three-year-old Sarah Whitcher, who, in 1783, became lost in the woods of New Hampshire and was protected by a bear until her rescue four days later.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

In this fictionalized retelling of an event that occurred in the summer of 1783, three-year-old Sarah Whitcher wanders into the New Hampshire woods and disappears. After four days, a community search party comes upon Sarah's footprints with bear tracks beside them, and concludes the worst: ``She's been torn to pieces!'' The next day, a stranger appears, claiming that he has seen the child in a dream. The vision leads to Sarah's rescue, and the community celebrates her safe return with a great feast. Readers will be intrigued by the authors' real-life connection to the story's heroine (Sarah is an ancestor of sisters Kinsey and Kinsey-Warnock). Although Rand's watercolors include some cliched poses (as when Sarah curls up beside the bear with her hands neatly clasped under her head), their luminous gray-green palette is appropriately woodsy. Without being overtly cute, Sarah's ursine rescuer is a particularly benign and cozy presence. Plainly told, this sturdy tale exudes comfort. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)

BookList - Carolyn Phelan