Books
This section contains 10 articles.
How the Stars Fell into the Sky: A Navajo Legend
By: Jerrie Oughton
Illustrated by: Lisa Desimini
Richly hued illustrations are used to show how First Woman tried to guide humans by providing the “laws of the world” by writing them in the sky with her jewels (the stars). Things change, however, when trickster Coyote tries to help, tires of the task, and then tosses the rest of the jewels into the night sky with beautiful if chaotic results.
Iktomi and the Coyote: A Plains Indian Story
By: Paul Goble
Iktomi is a trickster from the Lakota who tricks prairie dogs into becoming his next meal. But Iktomi meets his match when Coyote, another truly wily character, enters the picture. Though the prairie dogs don’t fair well in this traditional tale, the style of telling and Goble’s authentically styled illustrations present the tale’s humor and lesson in a palatable way.
Jingle Dancer
By: Cynthia Smith
Jenna, a contemporary child, wants to dance in the powwow as her grandmother and other women in her family have. But she wonders: will she have enough jingles to make her dress sing? Traditional and contemporary activities come together in this appealing, clearly illustrated story of a modern girl and her background, based on the author's Muscogee (Creek) heritage.
Raccoon's Last Race
By: Joseph Bruchac
& James Bruchac
Illustrated by: Ariane Dewey
Watching a raccoon's unwieldy movements, you'd think that it always walked that way. Not so, according to an Abenaki tale, vividly retold and illustrated by this father & son duo. Learn how Azban, a self-absorbed, conceited raccoon is responsible for the way all raccoons move as they do in this humorous and engaging tale.
Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest
By: Gerald McDermott
Raven, a shape-shifting trickster, wanted to bring light to the people who lived in darkness. To do so, he changes shapes which allow him to be born of the Sky Chief's daughter. Though he changes shapes, his nature remains the same and ultimately the loveable trickster brings light and warmth back to earth. Bold, stylized illustration calls to mind the tale's Pacific Northwest origin.
The Good Luck Cat
By: Joy Harjo
Illustrated by: Paul Lee
A child narrates how a much loved cat, Woogie, brings good luck to her family. When Woogie is lost, its luck may have run out – but the resolution is luckily both satisfying and happy. Richly hued illustrations add authentic details to a universally appealing story set within a Native American family and told by a Native American writer.
The Milky Way: A Cherokee Tale
By: Joseph Bruchac
& Gayle Ross
Have you ever wondered how the Milky Way came to be? According to a Cherokee legend, it started when an old couple learned that their corn was being stolen by a Great Spirit dog. To get away, the spirit dog jumps into the sky, spilling the corn. And we can still see the results today in the night sky.
The Polar Bear Son: An Inuit Tale
By: Lydia Dabcovich
An old Inuit woman takes in a polar bear cub and raises him until others in the village become jealous of the bear’s hunting prowess, threatening to kill him. The old woman sends her beloved bear away, but continues to meet him far out on the ice where her polar bear “son” gives her food to eat. The gentle telling and illustrations evoke the Arctic.
The Rough-Face Girl
By: Rafe Martin
Illustrated by: David Shannon
When her older sisters try to convince the Invisible Being's sister that they can see him, they are rebuffed. Only the youngest, whose face and hair is badly scarred from feeding the fires, can answer his questions correctly and see him everywhere. Sophisticated and hauntingly illustrated, experienced readers will see similarities between this Algonquin tale and its familiar European counterpart, "Cinderella".
Turtle's Race with Beaver
By: Joseph Bruchac
& James Bruchac
Illustrated by: Ariane Dewey
When Beaver arrives at Turtle's pond home, Turtle graciously offers to share the space. Instead, Beaver challenges her to a race and Turtle decides to take charge of the matter. Beaver – and listeners – will gain insight and want to participate in the lively telling as they gain clues from the animated, colorful illustrations.