Gorgeous images by Michaela Goade illustrate Carole Lindstrom's rallying call to all people of the Earth to protect our nat2021 Caldecott Medal Winner
Gorgeous images by Michaela Goade illustrate Carole Lindstrom's rallying call to all people of the Earth to protect our natural resources.
Lindstrom explains in language kids can understand about an Anishinaabe prophecy predicting that humans might choose a path that would be destructive to nature. With a refrain of "we are still here," she highlights Indigenous people's fight against oil pipelines, represented by a black snake.
I loved the dreamlike quality of the illustrations, especially the one of a mother with a child in her womb and a moon in the background, and the one of Earth with animals and stars.
Even my 2-year-old daughter could appreciate this story. When she saw the girl rallying her people against the black snake, she said "Mad! Mad about the snake!" Maybe someday Lily will be a water protector too....more
Received the new edition of this book yesterday--an updated version of a really excellent book about children around the world, their families, how thReceived the new edition of this book yesterday--an updated version of a really excellent book about children around the world, their families, how they live, what they eat, their traditions, etc.
It's still way too advanced for Lily, but she actually seemed interested in many of the pages as I read through it in the evening. The page on Korea especially caught her eye with the Winnie-the-Pooh stuffed animal.
...or maybe it's not because of the stuffed animal--it's because we've been listening to BTS....more
I picked up a $0.99 Kindle edition of this book because my friend David wants to create a Navajo-culture-based stage production and asked for my help I picked up a $0.99 Kindle edition of this book because my friend David wants to create a Navajo-culture-based stage production and asked for my help (he writes music, not stories). It's in the public domain, so I'm sure you could find it for free somewhere. It looks like maybe you can get it at Google Books, but the cover is different from this edition and it's called "Volume 5," so I'm not sure. There is also this cool free book The Dîné: origin myths of the Navaho Indians that I haven't gotten into yet.
Although the book took me a looooooong time to get through, it was well worth my time. It contains a version of the very lengthy Navajo creation legend as well as some stories about Coyote, Estsanatlehi (Changing Woman), and many others. With so many characters and legends and my desire to understand it well, it was a bit hard to follow and I frequently had to go back and read sections over again.
At this point, I plan to adapt a couple of stories to go with my friend's production, respecting Mr. Matthews' request not to distort the legends or characters with foreign thoughts or culture. For that reason, it will be a very close adaptation.
Overall impression: It is kind of awesome that Coyote enjoyed getting his eyes taken out, tossing them into the air, and catching them back in their sockets. The book was full of moments like that--things that were very different from my cultural background, but that for that difference were infinitely interesting and absorbing. It's definitely an older writing style that covers a lot of events and is not easy going, however....more
Impression at the beginning of the book: "I don't understand what's going on, but it sounds pretty."
Impression in the middle: "I'm starting to get it,Impression at the beginning of the book: "I don't understand what's going on, but it sounds pretty."
Impression in the middle: "I'm starting to get it, and it's still pretty, but also boring and sometimes grotesque."
Impression at the end: "...huh. I think I got it. It was pretty. I don't know if I liked it."
So, what I got out of this is that it's a story of the search for identity, finding oneself, and eventually transformation for a tortured artist-type-Kiowa-guy. The poetry of Momaday's language is something to behold. The characters were well-drawn, with many facets and without much of a core identity (but I grew to see that was part of the point--who are we? How do we know?)
The fact that it was so poetic was problematic for me, though--a lot of the time, I didn't feel that the characters spoke like real people or that their relationships were described in a way that made sense to me on a human level. For example, I didn't understand why Set's girlfriend was often referred to by her first and last name, Lola Bourne. Was this even partially from Set's viewpoint? If so, why would he think of his girlfriend in such an impersonal way? Or was that part of the point--that they weren't really fit for each other?
Also, the sex scenes--particularly the rape scene in which Grey is imagining herself with Billy the Kid, but then sort of wakes up and realizes she's being raped--were disturbing to me at first, but I grew to understand the point of them. Grey was always powerful and in control--of her imagination, of whom she chose to be with, and even ultimately over her rapist when, refusing to be frightened, she took immediate vengeance on him. She was contrasted with Set, who seemed to, on a couple of occasions in his life, just have sex with whomever made overtures to him at the time and whom he found attractive. This passivity in his sexuality was a symbol of his search for identity--he went along with these relationships, but ultimately they were not enough to fulfill the emptiness inside of him. In the end, it seemed that he just went along with Grey too, although it seemed to be somehow necessary to his search for himself. She represented something that he was meant to be.
At times, I was irritated by what I perceived as the author's male filter through which he wrote this book--there are plentiful nipples, curves, etc. that seemed gratuitous until I saw what I mentioned above. Despite my analysis, though, I still haven't decided how much of the sexuality in the book seems like something those characters would actually do (such as Grey popping out her boob in front of Set in the truck on the journey to Lukachukai) and how much is really just wishful male fantasy. Either way, it tripped me up as a reader and drew me out of the story.
I really didn't understand the Billy the Kid scenes at the beginning of the book, but I'm not sure that the reader was meant to understand that until it's explained that Grey is envisioning all of it, and that her visions of the old west are an important part of her childhood and young adulthood.
Overall, this was a beautifully poetic novel with awkward pacing that I found boring at times, and characters with whom I couldn't identify, even if I have also struggled with a search for identity....more
Genevieve Simermeyer introduces us to her first cousin once removed, Christopher Cote, an eleven-year-old boy of the Osage tribe. We get to follow ChrGenevieve Simermeyer introduces us to her first cousin once removed, Christopher Cote, an eleven-year-old boy of the Osage tribe. We get to follow Christopher as he plays with his three brothers, goes to school, attends church, takes Osage language classes, makes dinner for his family, and participates in the traditional I'n-lon-shka dances in his colorful Osage regalia. The book is part of the My World: Young Native Americans Today series published by the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian, a great introduction for kids on what it is like to be a Native American child in contemporary society. I wish that my teachers in elementary school had been able to introduce us to a book like this one--it might have helped me understand at the time that Native Americans are still very much a part of our modern world representing a wide diversity of cultures, and not just some people who used to live in longhouses and weave baskets....more
Jenna is looking for enough jingles to sew onto her dress to participate in the Jingle Dance, so she borrows one row of jingles from each of four femaJenna is looking for enough jingles to sew onto her dress to participate in the Jingle Dance, so she borrows one row of jingles from each of four female relatives. Some weird-seeming grammar ("Jenna bounce-stepped on family room carpet"), and in the first picture that shows Jenna in the Jingle Dance her facial expression looks kind of stoned. Other than those things, it was a cool book. Includes author's notes and a glossary....more
After being told by one of his friends that he's "less than half" Native American, Tony asks four groups of relatives what it means to be "less than hAfter being told by one of his friends that he's "less than half" Native American, Tony asks four groups of relatives what it means to be "less than half" and learns a little more from each. Finally, his grandfather teaches him that he is "more than whole." A story with a good message and very cool designs from various native cultures integrated into the illustrations. Now if only Tony's "friend" would accept him as "more than whole." I guess racism is everywhere, and it's especially hard for people from an obviously multiracial background--they get it from both sides. Includes a glossary of concepts, terms, and designs....more
Young Shi-Shi-Etko, whose names means "she loves to play in the water," has to get ready to go to an Indian Residential School. This book presents theYoung Shi-Shi-Etko, whose names means "she loves to play in the water," has to get ready to go to an Indian Residential School. This book presents the sadness of leaving for one of Canada's forced boarding schools from a child's perspective. The illustrations are very pretty with a great contrast between warm and cool colors, and I like the way the people are designed. Unfortunately, not as much thought went into the text design--a few of the pages are pretty difficult to read because they chose to print black text on a dark background....more
The Rough-Face Girl's cruel sisters caused her to be scarred by forcing her to tend the fire.
All of the women in the village want to marry the InvisiThe Rough-Face Girl's cruel sisters caused her to be scarred by forcing her to tend the fire.
All of the women in the village want to marry the Invisible Being, who has the largest tent painted with bright symbols. However, the Invisible Being's sister first asks them questions to determine whether or not they'd seen him. The Rough Face Girl's sisters fail miserably at answering, but the Rough Face Girl herself tries and answers that she has seen him in various ways in the natural world around her. This turns out to be correct, and she is chosen to be the Invisible Being's bride.
A very mysterious Algonquin legend with beautiful illustrations. It ended abruptly, though, and the idea of marrying a giant invisible nature-spirit-being was pretty creepy to me. I didn't totally get why that would be desirable. Maybe it's symbolic in some way. It sort of reminded me of the Caldecott winner that I read, The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses (in that one, the girl turns into a horse and becomes a stallion's mate)....more
Karana is a member of a small group of native americans living on San Nicolas island off the coast of California in the early1961 Newbery Medal Winner
Karana is a member of a small group of native americans living on San Nicolas island off the coast of California in the early 1800s. After the Aleuts kill many of her people, the group is transported away by some missionaries. However, Karana jumps off of their ship and swims back to the island when she realizes her brother Ramo was accidentally left on shore. Sadly, Ramo is killed by wild dogs, and Karana's eighteen-year-long, mostly solitary ordeal begins. She must fight against nature as well as her own loneliness as she builds shelters, hunts and gathers food, and finds surprising company in the animals around her and a rare visitor to the island. Karana's tale, based on a true story, has a lot to say about acceptance and resilience in the face of loss and difficult odds. This story will especially appeal to kids who enjoy reading about survival situations.
For me, I was experiencing kind of a lonely time anyway, so reading this book sort of compounded that feeling. I didn't enjoy it as much as I remember enjoying it as a kid....more
Cusi, a young Inca boy, lives with Chuto, an old man in a mysterious valley in Peru. There, they take care of a herd of llama1953 Newbery Medal Winner
Cusi, a young Inca boy, lives with Chuto, an old man in a mysterious valley in Peru. There, they take care of a herd of llamas, and it seems that Chuto may be preparing Cusi for some great destiny.
It's a simple story that to me seemed culturally sensitive. Some reviewers feel that the tone is condescending in some way, but I didn't get that impression. From a little Googling, it sounds like the author was a white woman, but she traveled in South America and worked with Native American children.
One problem I had with the story was that it was hard for me to tell when it was taking place. At first it had a feeling of something happening far in the past because of the isolated valley where the characters lived, but later they come across a truck. It's not until much further into the book that I remember them saying that the Spanish conquered the Inca "400 years ago," which would be about 1532, placing the story at 1932. Maybe the vagueness about time was part of the point of the story, though, since as I understand it, Incan culture didn't consider time the same way that Western culture does.
The other issue was that the secret, revealed at the end, fell flat. I think it was because I was expecting some kind of fantastic, possibly magical revelation, but it turned out to be something ordinary from history. (view spoiler)[It turned out that Cusi was going to be the new keeper of the secret stash of Inca gold and the descendants of a herd of royal llamas that had been sent to ransom the last Inca king from the Spaniards, but never reached them before they executed him. I thought maybe Cusi was going to be the reincarnation of some kind of keeper of Inca culture, which I guess, in a way, he was--just not literally. (hide spoiler)] Maybe this is just my problem in tempering my own expectations.
Also, Cusi's "golden earplugs" really confused my limited Western brain. For the first part of the book, I was picturing literal earplugs, like designed to block sound. So that contributed to my perception that something magical was going on, since he could obviously still hear his mentor. Later I figured out that the earplugs must be some kind of decorative jewelry.
Scott Peterson narrated the audiobook version. His narration was clear and well-paced, but his characterization didn't stand out to me.
So, it's a pretty good book. Kind of a dream-like quality, not much plot, and a somewhat anticlimactic conclusion....more
I liked the meditative quality of this story about the Navajo boy Younger Brother and his family and friends as he comes of a1932 Newbery Medal Winner
I liked the meditative quality of this story about the Navajo boy Younger Brother and his family and friends as he comes of age and learns about being a medicine man from Uncle.
A while ago I read a couple of other books about Navajo legends and I think that made this more accessible and interesting.
Despite it being all right to read, though, there were problematic issues.
The author was a white woman who apparently lived near the Navajo for quite a while, but I wasn't sure that qualified her to write from the perspective of a Navajo boy. I enjoyed the book Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze, another early Newbery winner written by a white woman about a boy from a different culture, more than this one. This book felt a bit too "othering" of the culture it concerned and a bit more paternalistic in the way the white people's relationship with the Navajo was portrayed. The white trader who was friends with them could seemingly do no wrong even though it appeared that maybe he was taking advantage of them somehow when he brought Younger Brother's family on a trip west as part of some kind of museum exhibit. A white woman (I forget, but I think she was the trader's wife), referred to the Navajo as "savages" at one point. Younger Brother also looked at the white people's technology with awe, which I could see making sense in that context, but the author wrote about it in a patronizing way.
Overall, I think the author tried to respect the Navajo and their beliefs. She managed to capture some good details of their customs and legends, but the tone still came across as that of an anthropologist studying them as objects of curiosity rather than a storyteller getting at the heart of who they are as fully fleshed-out human beings....more
The wolves were not really enough to hook me on this one--I became more interested as Miyax's back story was explained in the1973 Newbery Medal Winner
The wolves were not really enough to hook me on this one--I became more interested as Miyax's back story was explained in the second part. However, in my immaturity I did enjoy sharing the gory details with Hubby: Miyax gets peed on(?) when she joins the wolf pack, eats a wolf's regurgitated stomach contents, tries to suckle from a wolf's teat, eats crane fly larvae, chows down the entrails of some owlets and the liver of a caribou (the candy of the Arctic, yum yum!), and collects Caribou poo for fire. Awesome.
(view spoiler)[I felt bad for what happened to Amaroq and for the state of the Eskimo culture in general. I got annoyed, though, that Miyax felt she couldn't go to San Francisco because she came to associate all white civilization with people who kill helpless animals for fun. I guess I took it a little personally--the first time I killed an ant as a child, I felt so bad that I had a funeral for it, so I thought that the message in this book was a little over-the-top and anti-European. I can see why she would have come to that feeling, though. I was pretty glad that she got over it enough to go and join her father again. (hide spoiler)]...more
I think these drawings are done in ink and oil and... crayon? What the heck is that rainbow made out of, anyway?
A Native Am1979 Caldecott Medal Winner
I think these drawings are done in ink and oil and... crayon? What the heck is that rainbow made out of, anyway?
A Native American girl goes to live with her friends the wild horses. Eventually she turns into a horse and was maybe having babies with the head stallion when she was still human(?) Or am I just being twisted and reading too much into that? Haha. Horses and rainbows and art, oh my! Every little girl should read this book in her "horse phase."...more
A boy is conceived by the Sun and when he's older, the Arrow Maker turns him into a1975 Caldecott Medal Winner
Beautiful illustrations in warm colors.
A boy is conceived by the Sun and when he's older, the Arrow Maker turns him into an arrow so that he can go find his father. Interesting tale, but pretty trippy--the Kiva of Lightning and the rainbow colors at the end reminded me of Katamari Damacy....more
Meh. I found the premise of this one even more unlikely than when Kirsten first meets Singing Bird in "Kirsten Learns a Lesson." Singing Bird helps KiMeh. I found the premise of this one even more unlikely than when Kirsten first meets Singing Bird in "Kirsten Learns a Lesson." Singing Bird helps Kirsten find her brother Peter, who has gotten lost in the woods, then is subsequently accepted by Kirsten's Mama. Probably a heartwarming story for kids, but it lacked the action of the longer books and I was again doubtful of the verisimilitude of that whole friendship. I guess I am an adult, jaded by experience. Sad....more
Loading...
