Little Funny Bear

What happens when a spring bear hunt leads not to victory-but to brotherhood in the wild forests of Juneau?Blue Ribbon Winner of the South East Alaska State Fair, 2025At sunrise in Juneau, Alaska, the annual Spring Bear Hunt begins with ceremony, blessings, and the weight of tradition. This year, Bear Bait is no longer a child running behind his grandfather-he is now a hunter. The forest awaits, the crowd expects victory, and winter provisions depend on success. A sweet spring bear means food, warmth, and honor.Deep in the wild blueberry patch and beneath towering spruce trees, Bear Bait finally finds his prize. But instead of a fierce beast, he encounters something entirely unexpected-a playful, flower-sniffing, somersaulting cub. The Little Funny Bear doesn’t charge. He dances. He doesn’t threaten. He laughs in his own way. And in a powerful moment that tests everything he has been taught, Bear Bait must choose between pulling back his bow... or listening to his heart.With the Huntress beside him and the weight of generations watching, Bear Bait makes a decision that transforms him from hunter to protector. He returns home not with a trophy, but with something far more meaningful-a Bear Brother. The village laughs, the elders understand, and a new story is born-one that will be told long after the hunt ends.Set against the breathtaking landscape of Alaska and enriched with Tlingit language and cultural reverence, Little Funny Bear is a touching story of courage, identity, and compassion. Perfect for readers who love heartfelt animal stories, coming-of-age journeys, and tales that celebrate respect for nature and family.Because sometimes the bravest thing a hunter can do... is lower his bow.