An tale of an Ojibwe Legend, or Chippewa legend about Shingebiss, and ancient diving bird or duck. The ancient legend speak of the Shingebiss taking on Great Winter and all its incarnations in the moon cycle. Shingebiss is honored in Chippewa tradition as being transformative and resilient. One of the more interesting part of this book came from its brief descriptions by the author of Ojibwe's legends being "alive" and with "spirit" and how that differentiates them from traditional European fairy tales and fables that are "human-made". I loved this preamble to the book from local Louisiana native Nancy Van Laan. Although early elementary level readers might be very interested in this living tale, it is funny that in the South, winter is neither great nor much of anything. ( )

A folktale from the Ojibwe (oh-JIB-way) tribe about how the lifestyle and habits of the merganser duck teaches us a lesson on how to survive during winter. The Ojibwe adapted to the cold climate of the Great Lakes by watching animals closely to see how they lived during winter and adopting their behaviors. This is the tale of how the spirit of the merganser duck, known as Shingebiss, persevered and outsmarted the Winter Maker or winter spirit. A great book for a lesson on folk tales or Native American cultures. A lot of great context given in the introduction to the story. ( )

hingebiss, a little merganser duck, can always find plenty to eat. In all seasons, the Great Lake is full of fish. But one cold year the lake freezes over, and Shingebiss has to find a way to fish through the thick ice. To do that, he must face the fierce Winter Maker. Gracefully told and illustrated with vigorous woodcuts, this ancient Ojibwe story captures all the power of winter and all the courage of a small being who refuses to see winter as his enemy. This sacred story shows that those who follow the ways of Shingebiss will always have plenty to eat, no matter how hard the great wind of Winter Maker blows. ( )

This book is about a bird the Chippewa call the Shingebiss.It is a bird that conquers the winters' trials and turbulations. They tell this story to teach kids not to give up. It teaches you some native dialect as well.It is a nice message and the pictures of the winter months are different but good. ( )