NATIVE AMERICANS

Realistic fiction

Non-fiction

Traditional

Biography

Historical fiction

Poetry

Fantasy

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NOTE: RECENTLY ADDED TITLES APPEAR IN RED.

REALISTIC FICTION:

Benchley, N. (1994). Small Wolf. Illustrated by J. Sandin. New York: HarperTrophy. (2-4)

A young Native American boy sets out to hunt on Manhattan Island and discovers some strange people with white faces and very different ideas about land. (card catalog)

Bruchac, J. (1999). Eagle song. Illustrated by D. Andreasen. New York: Puffin. (4-6).

Danny Bigtree’s family has moved to a new city, and Danny can’t seem to fit in. He’s homesick for the Mohawk reservation, and the kids in his class tease him about being an Indian, the thing that makes Danny most proud. Can he find the courage to stand up for himself? (amazon.com)

Bruchac, J. (1997). Fox song. Illustrated by P. Morin. New York: Paper Star. (K-3)

After the passing of her great-grandmother, a young Indian girl recalls the times they spent together in a moving celebration of the love between the young and the old and the beauty of the natural world. (amazon.com)

Creech, S. (1996). Walk two moons. Illustrated by L. Desimini. New York: HarperTrophy. (4-6)

Alternately humorous, mysterious, and moving, an exploration of the life of young Samantha Hiddle shows how she comes to understand aspects of that life, including her feelings about her missing mother, as she travels across country with her eccentric grandparents. (amazon.com)

George, J. C. (1974). Julie of the wolves. Illustrated by J. Schoenherr. New York: HarperTrophy. (4-6)

Protected by a wolf pack while lost on the tundra, a 13-year-old Eskimo girl begins to appreciate her heritage and the oneness with nature that modern man is destroying. (amazon.com)

George, J. C. (1987). The talking earth. New York: HarperTrophy. (4-6)

Billie Wind ventures out alone into the Florida Everglades to test the legends of her Indian ancestors and learns the importance of listening to the earth’s vital messages. (card catalog)

Hudson, J. (1999). Sweetgrass. New York: Paper Star. (4-6)

Living on the western Canadian prairie in the nineteenth century, Sweetgrass, a fifteen-year-old Blackfoot girl, saves her family from a smallpox epidemic and proves her maturity to her father. (card catalog)

Joosse, B. M. (1998). Mama, do you love me? Illustrated by B. Lavallee. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books. (K-2)

A child living in the Arctic learns that a mother’s love is unconditional. (card catalog)

Lacapa, K. (1999). Less than half, more than whole. Illustrated by M. Lacapa. Flagstaff, AZ: Northland. (K-4)

Tony notices that his skin is darker than yellow-haired, blue-eyed Scott’s, but lighter than that of his Native American friend, Will. A well-designed effort, this title is for all children of multicultural marriages who struggle to find an identity. It serves not only to illuminate Indian culture, but also as a gentle celebration of mixed heritage. (amazon.com)

McCain, B. R. (2001). Grandmother’s dreamcatcher. Illustrated by S. Schuett. Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman. (K-3)

When Kimmy has bad dreams, Grandmother shows Kimmy a dreamcatcher, and with a twig, beads, feathers, and leather, they begin to make one just for Kimmy. Will it work? Instructions for making a dreamcatcher appear at the end of the book. (amazon.com)

Medearis, A. S. (1993). Dancing with the Indians. Illustrated by S. Byrd. New York: Holiday House. (K-3)

While attending a Seminole Indian celebration, an African American family watches and joins in several exciting dances. (card catalog)

Miles, M. (1985). Annie and the old one. Illustrated by P. Parnall. New York: Scott Foresman. (K-3)

When Annie’s Navajo grandmother says that when Annie's mother’s rug is completely woven that the grandmother will die, Annie tries to hold back time by unweaving the rug in secret. (amazon.com)

Osofsky, A. (1992). Dreamcatcher. Illustrated by E. Young. New York: Orchard Books. (K-3)

In the land of the Ojibwa a baby sleeps, protected from bad dreams, as the life of the tribe goes on around him. (card catalog)

Oughton, J. (1997). Music from a place called Half Moon. Boston: Laurel Leaf. (4-6)

In the summer of 1956, thirteen-year-old Edie Jo Houp, of Half Moon, North Carolina, must come to terms with entrenched prejudices against Native Americans and with the death of a special friend. (amazon.com)

Savageau, C. (1996). Muskrats will be swimming. Illustrated by R. Hynes. Flagstaff, AZ: Northland Publishing. (1-4)

A heart-warming tale of the lesson a girl learns from a Seneca creation story told to her by her grandfather--a lesson of knowing who you are and staying strong in the face of hurtful criticism. Elegantly illustrated, Muskrat Will Be Swimming is a treasure for all who have dealt with the fear of being different. (Borders.com)

Schick, E. (1996). My Navajo sister. New York: Simon & Schuster. (K-3)

A white girl lives for a short time on a reservation and forms a close bond with a Navajo girl. (card catalog)

Scott, A. H. (1996). Brave as a mountain lion. Illustrated by G. Coalson. New York: Clarion. (K-3)

When Spider’s teacher asks him to participate in the big school spelling bee, Spider is terrified to go on-stage. His family, however, offers him encouragement and tips on how to overcome his fears, and eventually Spider places second in the contest. This gentle story of courage takes place on a Shoshone reservation and is accompanied by warm watercolors in grays and earth tones. (Horn Book, 1996)

Smith, C. L. (2002). Indian shoes. Illustrated by J. Madsen. New York: HarperCollins. (3-5)

What do Indian shoes look like, anyway? Like beautiful beaded moccasins...or hightops with bright orange shoelaces? Ray Halfmoon prefers hightops, but he gladly trades them for a nice pair of moccasins for his Grampa. After all, it’s Grampa Halfmoon who’s always there to help Ray get in and out of scrapes -- like the time they are forced to get creative after a homemade haircut makes Ray’s head look like a lawn-mowing accident. This collection of interrelated stories is heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny. Cynthia Leitich Smith writes with wit and candor about what it’s like to grow up as a Seminole-Cherokee boy who is just as happy pounding the pavement in windy Chicago as rowing on a lake in rural Oklahoma. (amazon.com)

Smith, C. L. (2000). Jingle dancer. Illustrated by C. Van Wright & Y. Hu. New York: Morrow Junior. (1-3)

Jenna, a contemporary Muscogee (Creek) girl in Oklahoma, wants to honor a family tradition by jingle dancing at the next powwow. But where will she find enough jingles for her dress? An unusual, warm family story, beautifully evoked in Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu’s watercolor art. (amazon.com)

BACK

NON-FICTION:

Aliki. (1986). Corn is maize: The gift of the Indians. New York: HarperTrophy. (K-3)

A simple description of how corn was discovered and used by the Native Americans and how it came to be an important food throughout the world. (card catalog)

Ancona, G. (1993). Powwow. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace & Company. (4-6)

A photo-essay of the Native American’s celebration of their heritage on the Crow Reservation in Montana. (card catalog)

Bealer, A. W. (1996). Only the names remain: The Cherokees and the Trail of Tears. Illustrated by K. Rodanas. Toronto: Little Brown and Company. (4-6)

A young reader’s history of the tragic Trail of Tears march from 1837 to 1838 describes the enforced journey of the Cherokee nation from Georgia to Arkansas, a period during which thousands of Native Americans died. (amazon.com)

Bial, R. (1998). The Cherokee (Lifeways, Set 1). New York: Marshall Cavendish. (4-6)

Discusses the history, culture, social structure, beliefs, and notable people of the Cherokee Indians. (card catalog)

Bial, R. (2000). The Cheyenne (Lifeways, Set 2). New York: Benchmark Press. (4-6)

Discusses the history, culture, social structure, beliefs, and notable people of the Cheyenne Indians. (card catalog)

Bial, R. (2000). The Comanche (Lifeways, Set 2). New York: Benchmark Press. (4-6)

Discusses the history, culture, social structure, beliefs, and notable people of the Comanche Indians. (card catalog)

Bial, R. (1998). The Iroquois (Lifeways, Set 1). New York: Marshall Cavendish. (4-6)

Describes the history, social structure, and customs of the People of the Longhouse. (card catalog)

Bial, R. (1998). The Navajo (Lifeways, Set 1). New York: Marshall Cavendish. (4-6)

Discusses the history, culture, beliefs, changing ways, and notable people of the Navajo. (card catalog)

Bial, R. (2000). The Ojibwe (Lifeways, Set 2). New York: Benchmark Press. (4-6)

Discusses the history, culture, social structure, beliefs, and customs of the Ojibwe Indians. (card catalog)

Bial, R. (2000). The Pueblo (Lifeways, Set 2). New York: Benchmark Press. (4-6)

Discusses the history, culture, beliefs, changing ways, and notable people of the Pueblo. (card catalog)

Bial, R. (2000). The Seminole (Lifeways, Set 2). New York: Benchmark Press. (4-6)

Discusses the history, culture, social structure, beliefs, and customs of the Seminole people. (card catalog)

Bial, R. (1998). The Sioux (Lifeways, Set 1). New York: Marshall Cavendish. (4-6)

Examines the origins, beliefs, language, and culture of the Sioux, also known as the Dakota Indians. (card catalog)

Bonvillain, N. (1996). The Cheyennes: People of the plains. Brookfield, CT: The Millbrook Press. (4-6)

Examines the history, culture, way of life, and contemporary problems of the Cheyennes,a native American tribe that dominated the Plains region in the nineteenth century. (card catalog)

Bruchac, J. (1998). Many nations: An alphabet of Native America. Illustrated by R. F. Goetzl. New York: Troll Associates. (K-3)

From Anishinabe artists making birch bark bowls to Zuni elders saying prayers for the day that is done, the diversity of Native American cultures is simply presented in this unique alphabet book. Striking full-color paintings depict Native Americans living in harmony with their environment. (card catalog)

Carlson, L. (1994). More than moccasins: A kid’s activity guide to traditional North American Indian life. Chicago, IL: Chicago Review Press. (K-3)

Kids will discover traditions and skills from the people who first settled this continent, including gardening, making useful pottery, and communicating through Navajo codes. (amazon.com)

Dewey, J. O. (1996). Stories on stone; rock art, images from the ancient ones. Boston, MA: Little Brown & Company. (1-4)

The author developed an early interest in Anasazi rock art, both painted and carved, while she was growing up in New Mexico. Tales about numerous trips as a youngster are told in this book, which is richly illustrated with many samples of rock art. Also included are illustrations of numerous cliff dwellings and some speculation about how and why these paintings/carvings were done. The strength of this book is the range and variety of images reproduced. (Borders.com)

Erdosh, G. (1998). Food and recipes of the Native Americans. New York: Powerkids Press. (K-6)

Describes the different kinds of food and methods of cooking that had been common to Native Americans in each of five areas of the United States. Includes recipes. (card catalog)

Freedman, R. (2001). In the days of the vaqueros: America’s first true cowboys. New York: Clarion Books. (4-6)

In this rousing account of the first true cowboys, Newbery Medalist Russell Freedman brings to life the days when the vaqueros rounded up cattle, brought down steers, and tamed wild broncos. In the service of wealthy Spanish conquistadors in the sixteenth century, Mexican ranch hands began herding cattle, often riding barefoot. They soon developed and perfected the skills for this dangerous work and became expert horsemen. Hundred of years later the vaqueros shared their expertise with the inexperienced cowboys of the American West, who adopted their techniques and their distinctive clothing, tools, and even lingo. Yet today it is the cowboy whom we remember, while the vaquero has all but disappeared from history. The vaqueros are at last given their due in this dramatic narrative, lushly illustrated with beautiful period paintings and drawings. (amazon.com)

Hucko, B. (1997). A rainbow at night: The world in words and pictures. Illustrated by Navajo children. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books. (4-6)

Through the eyes of children, readers learn about some of the special traditions of Navajo life while discovering the universality shared by children of all backgrounds. Hucko offers insights into the Navajo culture and suggests art projects relating to each image that invite children of all ages and cultures to get out their art materials and create. (amazon.com)

Jeffers, S. (1993). Brother Eagle, Sister Sky: A message from Chief Seattle. New York: Dutton. (1-4)

A Suquamish Indian chief describes his people’s respect and love for the earth, and concern for its destruction. (card catalog)

Kamma, A. (1998). If you lived with the Cherokee. Illustrated by L. Gardner. New York: Scholastic Trade. (4-6)

The third title in a series about Native American people, this book reveals what it was like to grow up in a Cherokee family long ago. Full-color illustrations by a Cherokee artist complement facts about Cherokee games, language, dwellings, medicine, names, and more. (amazon.com)

Kamma, A. (1999). If you lived with the Hopi. Illustrated by L. Gardner. New York: Scholastic Trade. (4-6))

The history of the Hopi (meaning “wise and beautiful people”) is explored through a series of questions and answers, such as “Would you live in a teepee?” and “What did girls have to learn?” (amazon.com)

Kessel, J. K. (1986). Squanto and the first Thanksgiving. Illustrated by L. Donze. Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Books. (K-3)

Describes how the Indian Squanto, an English-speaking Christian and former slave, whose village had been wiped out by smallpox, taught the Pilgrims the skills they needed to survive the harsh Massachusetts winter. (card catalog)

Left Hand Bull, J. (1999). Lakota Hoop-Dancer. Illustrated by S. Haldane. New York: Dutton. (4-6)

Repeated strikes on the drum-like a heartbeat-and an intense, chantlike song draw people near. In the still, stubborn heat of a summer’s day, an American Indian man performs a breathtaking dance for an eager audience. (amazon.com)

Levine, E. (1999). If you lived with the Iroquois. Illustrated by S. Hehenberger. New York: Scholastic Trade. (4-6)

Detailed, four-color paintings and a question-and-answer text bring to life the traditional life, customs, and everyday world of the Iroquois - one of the most powerful and influential of the Indian nations. (amazon.com)

Lucas, E. (1993). The Cherokees: People of the Southeast. Brookfield, CT: The Milbrook Press. (4-6)

Discusses the early history, beliefs, and daily life and customs of the Cherokee Indians, their daily interaction with white society, and the current status of the Cherokee Nation. (card catalog)

Lund, B. (1997). The Apache Indians. Mankato, MN: Bridgestone Books. (3-4)

Provides an overview of the past and present lives of the Apache people, covering their daily life, customs, relations with the government and others, and more. (card catalog)

Lund, B. (1997). The Cherokee Indians. Mankato, MN: Bridgestone Books. (3-4)

Provides an overview of the past and present lives of the Cherokee people, covering their daily life, customs, relations with the government and others, and more. (card catalog)

Lund, B. (1997). The Comanche Indians. Mankato, MN: Bridgestone Books. (3-4)

Provides an overview of the past and present lives of the Comanche people, covering their daily life, customs, relations with the government and others, and more. (card catalog)

Lund, B. (1997). The Iroquois Indians. Mankato, MN: Bridgestone Books. (3-4)

Discusses the Iroquois as a modern group with a unique history and its own special practices and customs. (card catalog)

Lund, B. (1997). The Ojibwa Indians. Mankato, MN: Bridgestone Books. (3-4)

Provides an overview of the past and present lives of the Ojibwa people, including daily life, customs, relations with the government and others, and more. (card catalog)

Lund, B. (1997). The Pomo Indians. Mankato, MN: Bridgestone Books. (3-4)

Provides an overview of the past and present lives of the Pomo people, including daily life, customs, relations with the government and others, and more. (card catalog)

Lund, B. (1997). The Seminole Indians. Mankato, MN: Bridgestone Books. (3-4)

Provides an overview of the past and present lives of the Seminole people, including daily life, customs, relations with the government and others, and more. (card catalog)

McGovern, A. (1992). If you lived with the Sioux Indians. Illustrated by J. S. Drew. New York: Scholastic Trade. (4-6)

In question-and-answer style, the author describes the daily life of the Sioux before and after the coming of the white man. Boys and girls will be surprised to know that each child had a second mother and father who helped take care of him... that everyone had his own “medicine bundle” to keep danger away... that the men sometimes had more than one wife... that a boy was expected to hunt his first buffalo calf before he was ten years old. They’ll discover what happened to someone who broke the rules of a tribe, what was considered the bravest thing a Sioux Indian could do, and the ritual ceremonies at which children were accepted as adults. In a final section the author explains what is happening to these Indians today. (amazon.com)

Miller, J. (1997). American Indian festivals. Chicago, IL: Children’s Press. (1-5)

Briefly describes some of the customs and practices related to festivals celebrated in various North American Indian cultures. (Borders.com)

Simmons, M. (2004). Friday the Arapaho boy: A true story from history. Illustrated by R. Kil. University of New Mexico Press. (2-4)

By the Anglos’ calendar it was the last week of May 1831 and the Arapahos were camped beside the Cimarron River in what is today southwestern Kansas. Young Warshinun strayed from the camp as he hunted for prairie dogs and became separated from his family and the tribe. This is the true story of Warshinun’s adventures. Nearly dead of thirst and hunger after hiding for a week from Kiowa raiders, the young Arapaho was discovered and cared for by Thomas Fitzpatrick, a Rocky Mountain trader. Fitzpatrick named the boy "Friday” for the day of the week he first found the young Indian, and took him to Santa Fe and Taos, Colorado and Wyoming in search of Friday’s family. The trader finally took Friday to St. Louis, enrolled him in school, but continued looking for the boy’s family as he traveled through Arapaho country. Friday grew up to become an important Arapaho leader. (To this day, "Friday” is a prominent family name among the Arapaho.) He attended the famous council in Wyoming that led to the Fort Laramie treaty of 1851. Friday spent the last thirty years of his life trying to prevent war between his people and the Anglos, and died in 1881.

Steedman, S. (1997). How would you survive as an American Indian? Danbury, CT: Franklin Watts. (4-6)

A second-person narrative invites readers to imagine themselves transported back through time to the heyday of the Plains Indians. Readers are provided with facts about food, clothing, dress, and customs. (Horn Book, 1996)

Stein, R. C. (1993). The trail of tears. Chicago, IL: Children’s Press. (4-6)

Describes the Federal government’s seizure of Cherokee lands in Georgia and the forced migration of the Cherokee Nation to Oklahoma along the route that came to be known as the Trail of Tears. (card catalog)

Tapahonso, L. (1999). Navajo ABC: A Dine alphabet book. Illustrated by E. Schick. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks. (1-4)

A simple alphabet book describes aspects of Navajo life, joining A with Arroyo, B with Belt, C with Cradleboard, and so on, in an introduction to one of the largest Native American tribes in the United States. (amazon.com)

Weber, E. N. R. (2004). Rattlesnake Mesa: Stories from a Native American Childhood. Photographs by R. Renkun. Lee & Low. (4-8)

Weber’s memoir of growing up in the early 1900s brings readers into the thoughts and surroundings of her eight-year-old self with humor and sincerity. When her grandmother died, her father took her to live with him at Crown Point Indian Agency on the Eastern Navajo Reservation. At the school there, she witnessed boys being beaten with a horsewhip, which haunted her. "I carried a mortal shame, fear, and hurt away with me.” Just as she started to feel at home at Crown Point, she was sent to the faraway Phoenix Indian School, where her father was educated. However, she and her new friends became survivors ("we learned early–laughing was best.”) Her memories of the ridiculous teachers and underground games are expressed in a conversational voice that begs to be read aloud. Readers will identify with her predicaments, whether they are learning about a different culture or recognizing their own. The voice does shift occasionally throughout the book to one that seems oddly outsider, and a homecoming ceremony involving Sacred Yellow Corn Pollen is not fully explained. But then Weber’s evocative voice resurfaces. The recollections are illustrated with black-and-white photos of unidentified contemporary children posed in the New Mexico landscape as if they were part of the story, which sometimes makes an odd contrast, though they are beautiful. For its unique voice, consider this collection as supplementary material on the Indian boarding school experience, or as a captivating read-aloud. (School Library Journal)

BACK

TRADITIONAL LITERATURE:

Baker, O. (1985). Where the buffaloes begin. Illustrated by S. Gammell. New York: Viking Press. (1-4)

After hearing the legend retold by the tribe's oldest member, Little Wolf hopes to someday witness the beginning of the buffaloes at the sacred lake. (card catalog)

Bierhorst, J. (2000). The people with five fingers: A native Californian creation tale. Illustrated by R. A. Parker. New York: Marshall Cavendish. (K-3)

Luminous watercolors and a concise text work together to capture the humor and insight of Native American storytellers in this engaging creation tale from California. Since ‘this earth cannot stay naked!” the plan is to create people. Masterminded by Coyote but carried out by all the animals, the strategy calls for a world in which people are different, yet the same. They will speak different languages. They will be different in color. Yet, they will live in harmony since “they will all have hands with five fingers.” A tale that cleverly accounts for the past...we can only hope it also predicts the future. (amazon.com)

Bierhorst, J. (1999). The woman who fell from the sky: The Iroquois story of creation. Illustrated by R. A. Parker. New York: Morrow. (K-3)

A fresh, authoritative retelling of the Iroquois creation story, in which the world as we know it today begins with a woman who fell from the sky and her two small children. Robert Andrew Parker’s luminous paintings add spectacular details to this simple, yet profound, tale of our beginnings and of the mystery and harmony of the universe. (amazon.com)

Bruchac, J. (1999). Between earth and sky: Legends of Native American Sacred Places. Illustrated by T. Locker. New York: Voyager. (2-5)

With grace and drama, Abenaki poet Joseph Bruhac retells traditional native legends of ten of America’s most awe-inspiring natural landscapes. These wise stories, together with Thomas Locker’s glowing painting, evoke the essential spiritual power of the earth. A full-color map charting the homelands of nearly 200 North American tribes is included. (amazon.com)

Bruchac, J. (1995). Flying with the eagle, racing the great bear: Stories from Native North America. Illustrated by M. Jacob. New York: Troll Associates. (5-6)

Drawn from 16 Native North American cultures, this collection of authentic tribal tales focuses on a theme of universal appeal--the rite of passage from boyhood to manhood. At the heart of each story lies an exciting adventure and a journey toward self-discovery. (amazon.com)

Bruchac, J. & Bruchac, J. (2003). How Chipmunk got his stripes. Illustrated by J. Aruego & A Dewey. New York: Puffin. (K-3)

The Bruchacs, famous for their Native American folklore retellings, have joined forces with the best-selling illustration team of Aruego and Dewey to create a buoyant picture book teeming with surprises, glowing colors, and big, boastful fun! When you tease someone, you might just end up with more than you bargained for! Brown Squirrel is very small, but that doesn’t keep him from saying what’s on his mind. When Big Bear brags that he can do anything, Squirrel challenges him to keep the sun from rising the next morning. The sun comes up, of course, and Squirrel can’t resist the mean urge to tease. But soon Big Bear teaches him a hard lesson: The new claw marks down Brown Squirrel’s back will be a permanent reminder of his bad behavior! And henceforth, Brown Squirrel will be known as Chipmunk, “the striped one.” (amazon.com)

Bruchac, J. & Caduto, M. J. (1999). Keepers of the Earth: Native American stories and environmental activities for children. Illustrated by J. K. Fadden & C. Wood. Golden, CO: Fulcrum. (4-6)

A selection of traditional tales from various Native American peoples, each accompanied with instructions for related activities dealing with the environment. (card catalog)

Bruchac, J. & Caduto, M. J. (1994). Keepers of the night: Native American stories and nocturnal activities for children. Illustrated by J. K. Fadden & C. Wood. Golden, CO: Fulcrum. (4-6)

Eight Native American stories and nighttime artistic and scientific activities teach children about astronomy and nocturnal weather, plants, and animals, helping them to develop a caring, constructive relationship with nature and the out-of-doors. (amazon.com)

Bruchac, J. & Bruchac, J. (2004). Raccoon’s last race: A traditional Abenaki story. Illustrated by J. Aruego & A. Dewey. Dial. (K-4)

Long ago, Azban the Raccoon loved to race on his long legs. He was the fastest of all the animals, but he was also the most conceited. When the other animals grew tired of his attitude, Azban chose Big Rock as his next opponent. But, busy taunting instead of running, Azban tripped . . . and Big Rock flattened him--splat! Only the ants would help stretch Azban out again--as long as he promised to be their friend. Did Azban keep this promise? Is the raccoon still the fastest of all the animals? In this lively, funny romp, the team that created How Chipmunk Got His Stripes and Turtle’s Race with Beaver once again captures the fun and energy of traditional Native American stories. This time, they have chosen an Abenaki tale that warns against arrogance and honors the importance of keeping your promises. (amazon.com)

Bruchac, J. (1995). The boy who lived with the bears and other Iroquois stories. New York: Harper Collins. (4-6)

In this collection of animal tales, the reader will meet clever Rabbit, hungry Fox, vain Buzzard, smart Chipmunk and a young Boy, who finds love with a family of bears. These tales celebrate the tradition of storytelling with glorious depictions of nature and humorous accounts of lessons learned. (amazon.com)

Bruhac, J. (1998). The first strawberries: A Cherokee story. Illustrated by A. Vojtech. New York: Puffin. (K-3)

A quarrel between the first woman and the first man is reconciled when the Sun causes strawberries to grow out of the Earth. (card catalog)

Bruchac, J. & Ross, G. (1996). The girl who married the moon: Tales from Native North America. Illustrated by S. S. Burrus. New York: Troll Associates. (5-6)

A companion volume to Bruchac’s Flying with the Eagle, Racing the Great Bear, this anthology focuses on the role of women in traditional Indian cultures. Culled from 16 Native North American cultures, these traditional tribal tales dwell on the time in a young girl’s life when she discovers she is becoming a woman. (amazon.com)

Bruchac, J. (1994). The great ball game: A Muskogee story. Illustrated by S. L. Roth. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers.

With characteristic action and wit, renowned Native American storyteller Bruchac retells the amusing and rousing folktale of an epic ball game between the Birds and the Animals, which offers the explanation as to why birds fly south every winter. Roth’s brilliant collage art enhances the story. (amazon.com)

Bruchac, J. (1995) & Ross, G. The story of the Milky Way: A Cherokee tale. Illustrated by V. Stroud. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. (K-3)

The legend of the Milky Way tells of an elderly couple who lived long ago. One day they discovered that a giant spirit dog had stolen some of their cornmeal and drove the dog from the village into the night sky. The band of stars that formed in its wake is the Milky Way. (amazon.com)

Bruchac, J. & Bruchac, J. (2005). Turtle’s race with Beaver. Illustrated by J. Aruego & A. Dewey. Puffin. (1-3)

When Beaver challenges Turtle to a swimming race for ownership of the pond, Turtle outsmarts Beaver, and Beaver learns to share. (card catalog)

Casler, L. (1994). The boy who dreamed of an acorn. Illustrated by S. Begay. New York: Philomel. (K-3))

A powerful story based on the Native American rite known as the spirit quest. One night, beneath the yellow moon, three boys climb the slopes of a great mountain. There, each boy hopes to dream a dream that will symbolize the path he will take through life. One boy dreams only of a tiny acorn, and wonders what power this common thing could possibly hold for him. (Borders.com)

Cohen, C. (1992). The mud pony. Illustrated by S. Begay. New York: Scholastic Trade. (K-3)

A poor boy becomes a powerful leader when Mother Earth turns his mud pony into a real one, but after the pony turns back to mud, he must find his own strength. (card catalog)

Cohlene, T. (1991). Clamshell boy: A Makah legend. Illustrated by C. Reasoner. Mahwah, NJ: Troll Communications L. L. C. (4-6)

Retells the legend of Clamshell Boy, who rescues a captured group of children from the dreaded wild woman Ishcus. Includes information on the customs and lifestyle of the Makah Indians. (card catalog)

Cohlene, T. (1991). Dancing drum: A Cherokee legend. Illustrated by C. Reasoner. Mahwah, NJ: Troll Communications L. L. C. (4-6)

Retells the Cherokee legend in which Dancing Drum tries to make Grandmother Sun smile on the People again. Also describes the history, culture, and fate of the Cherokee Indians. (card catalog)

Cohlene, T. (1991). Little Firefly: An Algonquian legend. Illustrated by C. Reasoner. Mahwah, NJ: Troll Communications L. L. C. (4-6)

A retelling of the Algonquian Indian legend of how a young girl, badly mistreated by her sisters, becomes the bride of the great hunter known as the Invisible One. Includes information on the history and customs of the Algonquian Indians. (card catalog)

Cohlene, T. (1991). Quillworker: A Cheyenne legend. Illustrated by C. Reasoner. Mahwah, NJ: Troll Communications L. L. C. (4-6)

A Cheyenne legend explaining the origins of the stars. (amazon.com)

Cohlene, T. (1991). Turquoise boy: A Navajo legend. Illustrated by C. Reasoner. Mahwah, NJ: Troll Communications L. L. C. (4-6)

A retelling of a Navajo Indian legend in which Turquoise Boy searches for something that will make the Navajo people’s lives easier. Includes a brief history of the Navajo people and their customs. (card catalog)

Dabcovich, L. (1999). The polar bear son: An Inuit tale. New York: Clarion Books. (K-3)

A lonely old woman adopts, cares for, and raises a polar bear as if he were her own son, until jealous villagers threaten the bear’s life, forcing him to leave his home and his “mother”, in a retelling of a traditional Inuit folktale. (amazon.com)

dePaolo, T. (1996). The legend of the bluebonnet. New York: Paper Star. (K-3)

This favorite legend, based on Comanche lore, tells the story of how the bluebonnet, the state flower of Texas, came to be. (amazon.com)