About Me

Hi! My name is Black Bear, and I am a retired sled dog. I was born in Eagle, Alaska and raised by Bush Alaska Expeditions. I was a lead dog in the 2009 Yukon Quest,

so I have a passion for running...especially in the snow!

When I'm not running or sleeping, I go around and give presentations to teach children and adults what it's like to be a sled dog. I have some people who come along to help me interpret and carry things. They also help me find good homes for my sled dog friends when they retire. Here is more information about what they do:

Radio interviews:
WCNI radio (CT, USA) (Oct 2019)

WCNI radio (CT, USA) (Oct 2021)

Chat & Spin radio (England) (Dec 2020)

Lady Tracey Show (Jamaica) (Dec 2020)

Articles:
Virginia Living Magazine
Ink Magazine

Connect with me via social media, enjoy my books, view my photos/videos, adopt a sled dog, meet my friends, play some games, or contact me.

Books

When you buy a book, you help rehome retired sled dogs!

Black Bear Goes to Bangor to Find Beaver
(description) - (I-95 announcement)
by Denise Lawson
Published by Brown & Lowe Books
Buy from:
Amazon,   Barnes & Noble,   Book Depository
Run Like a Sled Dog
(description)
by Denise Lawson
Published by Brown & Lowe Books
Buy from:
Amazon,   Barnes & Noble,   Book Depository,   Brown & Lowe
Life Lessons from a Sled Dog
(description)
by Denise Lawson
Published by Brown & Lowe Books
Buy from:
Amazon,   Barnes & Noble,   Book Depository,   Brown & Lowe
Black Bear Saves Christmas
(description)
by Denise Lawson
Published by Brown & Lowe Books
Buy from:
Amazon,   Barnes & Noble,   Book Depository,   Brown & Lowe
Black Bear Goes to San Francisco
(description)
by Denise Lawson
Published by Brown & Lowe Books
Buy from:
Amazon,   Barnes & Noble,   Book Depository,   Brown & Lowe
Black Bear Goes to Washington
(description)
by Denise Lawson
Published by Brown & Lowe Books
Buy from:
Amazon,   Barnes & Noble,
Book Depository,   Brown & Lowe (hardback, softback)

Other Merchandise

All sales help rehome retired sled dogs!
Black Bear Sled Dog Coffee - Yukon Blend
Buy from:
Java Gourmet

Reviews / Quotes

"...children ages 3-8 will fully enjoy joining Black Bear Sled Dog and friends as they share some simple secrets of happiness. Through playful verse and illustrations, kids will appreciate these life lessons from the sled dog point of view. Entertaining, thoroughly 'kid friendly' in commentary and presentation, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Life Lessons from a Sled Dog" is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections."
- October 2020 edition of the Midwest Book Review: Children's Bookwatch
"...'Black Bear Goes to Washington' is unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, and community library Pets/Wildlife picture book collections."
- March 2019 edition of the Midwest Book Review: Children's Bookwatch
"...A thoroughly charming picture book story that will have a very special appeal for children ages 5-8, 'Black Bear Goes to Washington' is an especially recommended addition to family, elementary school, and community library Pets/Wildlife picture book collections for young readers."
- February 2019 edition of the Midwest Book Review: Children's Bookwatch
"...A thoroughly charming, engagingly entertaining, and thoroughly 'kid friendly' in tone and tenor, "Black Bear Goes to San Francisco" will prove to be a welcome addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections..."
- December 2019 edition of the Midwest Book Review: Children's Bookwatch
"...a rhyming picturebook about a hard-working, dark-furred Alaskan sled dog lead named Black Bear. Striking, colorfully painted illustrations bring to life this celebration of hard-working, four-footed sled dogs...A final page of dog sledding facts and special terms rounds out this excellent, read-aloud picturebook for storytime or bedtime."
- January 2020 edition of the Midwest Book Review: Children's Bookwatch
Black Bear Goes to Washington wins Honorable Mention in the 2021 New York Book Festival.
- 2021 New York Book Festival

My Friends & Adoptions

Meet some of my retired sled dog friends. Some are available for adoption!

Let's Play!

Games

2 Current or Future Events

Learn about or schedule an in-person or online author visit here

Join Black Bear Sled Dog & Friends at virtual events via Zoom!
Email: blackbear@blackbearsleddog.com to receive a meeting invite for a storytime event.
Online events will be listed below

Dog Daze

Sled Dogs and Author Visit

Meet and learn about sled dogs at this gathering and demonstration of working dogs.

May 28, 2022 @ 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Middleburg, VA

Taste of Woodbridge

Sled Dogs and Author Visit

Sled dog stories and activities at the Barnes & Noble tent with author, Denise Lawson, and her retired sled dogs from Alaska.

Jun 11, 2022
Woodbridge, VA

69 Past Events

Here are the 5 latest events. To view all events, click here

May 14, 2022 - Midnight Izzy's - Ligonier, PA - Author Visit. Book Signing with sled dogs during Midnight Izzy's 5yr anniversary.

Apr 2, 2022 - Barnes & Noble - Woodbridge, VA - Author & Sled Dog Visit. Book signing - meet the author and the sled dogs!

Mar 30, 2022 - West Springfield Elementary - Springfield, VA - Author & Sled Dog Visit. Learn about sled dog life in Alaska.

Mar 24, 2022 - Chancellor Elementary - Fredericksburg, VA - Author and sled dog visit. Meet the author and the sled dogs in person. Demo how to harness a sled dog.

Mar 23, 2022 - Chancellor Elementary - Fredericksburg, VA - Virtual sled dog event. Meet the author and the sled dogs. Learn about the dogs, Alaska and dog sledding.

To view all events, click here

Let's Talk

Ask me a question,  request an appearance,  adopt a sled dog, ...

If you are under the age of 13, have your parent or guardian fill out this form