My Life with Black Bears

Teenager Gabriel Mapel has likely spent more time observing wild Black Bears than any other young person in North America. Gabriel spends hundreds of hours each year among Bears, studying their behavior and following bear families through the generations. My Life with Black Bears is Gabriel’s informative and inspiring way of sharing his passion for Black Bears and his devotion to their protection through stories and photographs of some of his favorite Black Bear encounters. Gabriel has a very special connection with bears and it is astonishing that such a young person has had such profound experiences with, and has such a deep understanding of, these amazing creatures. This book is an opportunity to learn from Gabriel about the amazing life of Black Bears and it inspires and encourages us to do our part to make sure that these amazing animals are better understood and protected. Gabriel is homeschooled and works as a Volunteer Interpretive Ranger with the National Park Service, educating Park visitors about Black Bears and teaching them how to act appropriately and safely around bears. This is Gabriel’s second book about Black Bears. When he was 10 years old he wrote a book for young children titled Oh No, Gertrude: The True Story of a Not-So-Naughty Black Bear that educates people how to be among Black Bears. It has sold more than 7,000 copies in and around national parks in the USA.