West of Moonlight, East of Dawn

This newly retold but very old story, based on the classical folktale East of the Sun and West of the Moon, and beautifully illustrated by the author, uniquely draws in readers young and old, as they follow the adventures and tribulations of the young woman who agrees to live with a white bear, and eventually discovers his dark secret. Through his kindness to her, she sees beyond his outward appearance and when he disappears, fearlessly follows in search of him. In her quest to break the enchantment, she must survive the most frustrating tests of her mettle and intelligence, but in the end, wisdom, fortitude and love conquer all. This old tale traces to Greek and Latin stories about Psyche and her immortal husband. This retelling especially explores what is (in the Aarne-Thompson classification system) the "search for a lost husband" folk tale through a Scandinavian version, while echoing old roots in Greek myth and Latin storytelling. To many people, like C. S. Lewis who retold the myth in "Till We Have Faces," it has said something important about the soul and eternal love. As it comes down to us, the tale raises questions. They are questions our own life raises. We look about our world of time and wonder: what kind of visitor is eternal love? A stranger whom we ought to flee in distrust? Or someone to seek, even if it means hardship and loss?