Awesome Books for Kids

Perhaps you’ve heard about the Harvest Moon. But did you know that long ago Native Americans gave names to each of the full moons? The beautiful charcoal and pastel illustrations by Mark Siegel vividly portray the many moods of the moon throughout the year. January’s “Stormy Moon shines in mist, in ice, or on a wild wolf’s back”. While in May the mood is joyful as the “Flower Moon blooms wide open, bright and happy to be here.” Read Long Night Moon at bedtime as a gentle lullaby or as a simple introduction to the seasons.

“This is an old tale of love and the way things came to be” begins the story of our mischievous hero, Coyote, a popular figure in Native American mythology.

A long time ago, when the world was very new, Coyote liked to gaze at the stars each night. There was one blue star that he found more beautiful than any other star and he would sing to her as she traveled across the night sky. When the star laughs off Coyote’s offer of marriage he becomes desperate and grabs her from the tip of a mountain. The little star pulls him higher and higher into the sky until she drops him onto a mountain, creating a gaping hole. Coyote is so heartbroken that he cries and cries blue tears until the hole is filled, creating Crater Lake!

The author notes that Coyote in Love is base on tale by a Coquelle Indian storyteller and hopes that children will be encourage to explore the rich traditions of Native American cultures.

Biography

Like the other title in the American Indian Biographies series owned by JCLS (Squanto, 1585-1622) this readable biography lends itself to the kind of reporting required by today’s students. Readers are given a personal glimpse into the life of this Native American, both as a spirited young boy and as the warrior and leader of his Lakota people. It includes two simple activities, which students can chose to provide authenticity and visual interest to oral reporting. Also includes a glossary, a brief bibliography, a helpful website and addresses of historical societies in states that were home to the Lakota.

This is historical fiction at its most compelling. Wyss describes both the adventure and the harsh reality of a Ute girl kidnapped by Cheyenne and later traded to Arapaho as a slave. Before being captured, Elk Girl is warned by her Ute brother

".....Remember always the real enemy, the one we can never defeat."

"The White Men?"

Ouray nodded. "There is no end to this enemy," he said. "No end to his warriors, no end to his guns."

"Utes will fight."

"And be destroyed.," Ouray said sadly. "We must fight this enemy not with arrows but with words. I know, Elk Tooth Dress. I have seen."

The story of Elk Girl is based on the real life of Elk Tooth Dress, who became known in the white world as Susan Johnson. It is a story which helps to illuminate a moment in history every student should see.

The familiar character of Spider takes on many roles in this collection of fourteen Native American tales. These stories were collected and verified from many native sources. In most instances the stories were told directly to the writing team of Ronia K. Davidson and Kelley Bennet ( Jill Max is a pseudonym). Six American Indian artists created the colorful paintings that illustrate each tale. Background information appears at the beginning of each story and enhances the reader’s understanding of tribal life and beliefs. A wonderful collection to read aloud.

Thanks to the Animals
by Allen Sockabasin
Easy Fiction

Little Zoo Sap and his family are moving from their summer home on the coast of Main to the deep woods for the winter. Traveling on a big bobsled pulled by big horses through the snow , Zoo Sap falls off the sled unnoticed. The forest animals come one by one to his rescue, keeping him safe and warm until his father come back to find him. Sockabasin weaves a powerful story of paternal love while expressing the mutual respect between his Passamaquoddy culture and the natural world. The luminous watercolor-and-ink illustrations capture facial expressions full of emotion in both animals and people. Included is further information on the Passamaquoddy tribe including a glossary of animal names featured in the story. You may want to go to the publisher’s website, www.tilburyhouse, to hear Allen Sockabasin reading this story in Passamaquoddy.

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Celou is half French and half Shoshone. Her family lives slightly away from the Shoshone village because the tribe thinks that her mother should not have married a French trapper. When four Crow warriors capture her mother and two younger brothers, wounding one, Celou escapes and heads for the village to get help. However, the village has just been attacked by the Blackfoot tribe, so there is no one to help her. Since her papa has not returned from his trip to the trading rendezvous, Celou must save her family by herself. Using all the training and skills she has learned in her twelve years, she follows the Crow raiders into new and dangerous territory. Enjoy this exciting adventure story, with a strong girl as the main character.