The Legend of the Bluebonnet

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful Story fine for Ages 4+.......2007-01-01

Our family loves Tomie dePaola books, and this is one of his most beautiful. While I agree with one reviewer that it's not appropriate for two year olds, it really was fine for my 4 year old. As that same reviewer writes, the book's heroine, a child, sacrifices the last tangible memory of her family. However, this is shown as an heroic act of unselfish love--and her reward is that from that day on, the land is filled with tangible memories of her family's love in the form of the Bluebonnet flowers.

My four year old asked many questions as I read the story, and my answers--and of course the story itself--showed him how even a child can be heroic--and that heroism does not need to involve swords and muscle--it can simply take the form of an unselfish act.

Five Stars from a Texan.......2004-01-25

As a Texan, I had to have this book for my 4 month girl. Obviously, she is too young to understand the text, but as soon as she is old enough I will not hesitate to continue reading this book to her. It is so beautifully written and the illustrations are wonderful, as Tomie dePaola's illustrations always are. The lessons of selflessness and sacrifice are invaluable. And it gives a perfect opportunity to discuss such realities of life as being orphaned and loneliness in a non-threatening way if the proper discussion between parent and child accompanies the book.

Happy Customer.......2003-05-30

Wonderful prompt service. Couldn't be happier. Book was in wonderful condition!

This was my favorite story when..........2003-03-28

This was my favorite story when I was a child. I love how it tells of a young girl who chooses to give up something she loves for her family and people... I read this book whenever I could in school. Now that I teach pre school I get to share the beauty of this story with my class and they love it too...In Texas you see them everywhere in late March to early May. I use to think it was funny but now I have to wonder why, when you see a bluebonnet an Indian paintbrush isn't that far away?

A sad but inspiring and very beautiful story........2002-02-28

Every spring, throughout central Texas where I live, we are blessed with one of mother nature's great floral displays--Texas Wildflower Season. For three to four weeks in April and May the countryside--as far as one can see in all directions--is a rainbow of color as billions of wild flows bloom. Chief among these are the Bluebonnets, the Sate Flower of Texas.

The Legend of the Bluebonnet is the retelling of the old Indian legend of how this event came to occur. It relates the story of She-Who-is-Alone, an orphaned Indian girl being raised by her tribe during a time of extreme drought and famine. This young girl is the sole remaining member of her family--the others have all died in the famine.

The tribe calls upon the Shaman to commune with the Great Spirits to divine what it is the People must do to regain harmony with nature. The Shaman states that a "great sacrifice" needs to be made. How She-Who-is-Alone acts upon that message is how the Bluebonnets come to be ion Texas.

This is a very sad and hear-rending story in large part, though it is also incredibly heartwarming and inspiring as well.

This has always been one of my kid's favorite books--my wife's and mine as well. However, it is probably a book best left to a bit older child--say 8 and above. Once you start reading it though, you will never stop. You will read it many time to your children--and your grandchildren.

Book Description

The sixth tale in our Legend series, The Legend of the Petoskey Stone focuses on the naming of this unique fossil, found only on the shores of Lake Michigan. From the ancient, warm sea that covered most of the state, through Native American history and the history of the town named after a great chief, The Legend of the Petoskey Stone is a welcome addition to the fables so richly told and illustrated by this much-loved and honored children's book team.

Customer Reviews:

Great Read.......2007-09-12

I am originally from Petoskey and my mother bought this book for my daughter (along with some Petoskey Stones) for her to learn a little about the history of the area and state stone. This is a great book for anyone, especially any Michigander! The illustrations are beautiful!

Book .......2007-01-18

This book is informative whether for a child or an adult. Included this in a gift basket for an adult along with other products from the Petosky, MI area. Well received.

The Legend of the Petoskey Stone A SIMPLE FAMILY HISTORY STORY .......2007-01-18

THIS BOOK WAS A SIMPLE FAMILY HISTORY STORY FROM THE TRUE STORY OF HOW THE PETOSKEY STONE CAME TO BE SO POPULAR IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN . IT IS A LEGENDARY STORY WITH SOME INDIAN HISTORY TO IT ABOUT CHEIF PETOSKEY WHEN HE WAS YOUNG. GREAT FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES. ESPECIALLY FOR FAMILY MEMBERS NAMED PETOSKEY LIKE MYSELF TO LEARN A LITTLE SIMPLE HISTORY AND SOME HERITAGE INFORMATION. A GREAT BOOK FOR CHILDREN AS WELL AS ADULTS. CAN'T WAIT TO GET EDITION 2.

Sun-Burst Rocks Tell a Story.......2005-02-05

In northern Michigan a town AND a rock are named for the Ottawa Indian chief, Petosegay. He was born in the late 1800s to a native princess & a French fur trader. His parents nurtured him in the wilderness & saw him thrive into manhood. Kathy-jo Wargin's story is one children will love to hear, and later read aloud because the descriptions of harmonious living in the wild, natural surroundings are so appealing. Her series of books about area folklore is a gift to readers everywhere.

"Nick" van Frankenbuyzen's paintings are strong and depict beautifully the life of the one named for "the rays of the rising sun." The stones around which the legend grew are truly unique and were formed from petrified coral millions of years ago . We are fortunate to have an author celebrating these legends - - a different kind of fantasy for children today. She also offers a bonus by adding a page of instructions for polishing the rocks you are lucky enough to find!

Reviewer mcHAIKU suggests that parents hunt for vacation destinations that allow their kids glimpses of history & their forebearers' courage, especially if they can hold in their hands lovely patterned Petoskey stones.

THE BEST OF THE 'LEGEND OF' BOOKS SO FAR.......2004-08-07

I just picked up my shiny new plastic-covered copy of The Legend of the Petoskey Stone from the library today (sorry Sleeping Bear Press & Amazon--no $$$ right now). I have to say that this is the first truly great entry in the "Legend of" Series. It is also my favorite of the stories.

Story is big here. Petoseygay's story is told with haunting beauty and a lyrical simplicity. And, unlike the Legend of Sleeping Bear (my previous favorite in the series), it will not cause clinical depression.

I also feel that Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen ($10 to the first person who can say this man's name five times fast) has done his best work of the series in this book. He not only sets up a distinct visual world for the story, he makes each illustration wonderful and unique. My favorite is the picture of "where bears walked beside the flowing waters."

My son exclaimed "I see the bear."

The Legend of the Petoskey Stone is the strongest entry yet in a very strong series. The great storytelling, beautiful images, and uplifting message are well worth the time spent reading. This reviewer hopes that Mrs. Wargin has many more "Legends of" left in her.

I give The Legend of the Petoskey Stone my highest recommendation.

Legend of Michigan (Legend (Sleeping Bear))

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Creative and inventive legend of the origin of the state of Michigan

Legend of Michigan (Legend (Sleeping Bear))
Trinka Hakes Noble
Manufacturer: Sleeping Bear Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The Legend of Mackinac Island
The Legend of the Petoskey Stone Edition 1. (Legend (Sleeping Bear))
The Legend of Sleeping Bear Edition 1. (Legend (Sleeping Bear))
Mackinac Bridge: The Story of the Five-Mile Poem (Tales of Young Americans)
Gitchi Gumee

ASIN: 1585362786

Book Description

Long, long ago, the ancient people of the forest gathered around warm fires and told the tale of a time long past, when the land known as Michigane was covered with ice and snow. For thousands of years the cruel North Wind ruled the land North of Up North, chasing away the gentle, benevolent winds from the East, West and South. Winter stayed the whole year round, so nothing could live in Michigane. Not until an old warrior and a young boy traveled through the frigid cold with nothing but warm hearts and an old pair of mittens was there hope that the frozen land would eventually come to life.

Customer Reviews:

Creative and inventive legend of the origin of the state of Michigan.......2006-09-06

Long, long ago, the ancient people of the forest gathered around the warm fires and told the tale of a time long past, when the land known as "Michigane" was covered with ice and snow. For thousands of years the cruel North Wind ruled the land North of Up North, chasing away the gentle, benevolent winds from the East, West and South. Winter stayed the whole year round, so nothing could live in Michigane. Not until an old warrior and a young boy traveled throught the frigid cold with nothing but warm hearts and an old pair of mittens was there hope that the frozen land would eventually come to life.

Storyteller Trinka Hakes Noble pays homage to her home state in this creative and inventive legend of the orgin of the state of Michigan

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Before you shoo that next crow away......read this!!

Rainbow Crow (Dragonfly Books)
Nancy Van Laan
Manufacturer: Dragonfly Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Arrow to the Sun: A Pueblo Indian Tale (Picture Puffin)
The Legend of the Bluebonnet
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How the Stars Fell into the Sky: A Navajo Legend (Sandpiper Houghton Mifflin Books)
Coyote: A Trickster Tale from the American Southwest

ASIN: 0679819428
Release Date: 1991-07-02

Book Description

Illus. in full color. This story of how the Rainbow Crow lost his sweet voice and brilliant colors by bringing the gift of fire to the other woodland animals is "a Native American legend that will be a fine read-aloud because of the smooth text and songs with repetitive chants. The illustrations, done in a primitive style, create a true sense of the Pennsylvania Lenape Indians and their winters."--School Library Journal.

Customer Reviews:

Before you shoo that next crow away......read this!!.......1998-06-11

The Rainbow Crow is a beautiful native legend describing how the crow acquired his characteristics.

Being a teacher I found this book an excellent way to teach children about "not judging others(mainly on their appearance) without knowing the whole story". In today's society the crow is thought to be loud, ugly and annoying to humans. This book helps us to see that everything has it's place in life, and that appearance can be more than just beauty or ugliness. The Rainbow Crow helps us to see the price the beautiful rainbow coloured, song-like voiced bird risked everything he had (without thought for himself) to save the earth's environment.

I love all animals, and think that this story personifies the idea of all creatures having a role in the world ecosystem. Perhaps we as humans should look at the "Rainbow Crow" as a role model to help save our environment regardless of the cost.

Book Description

In love with a beautiful girl, but too shy to tell her, a young man leaves his camp in frustration. One night he receives mystical visitors who offer him a special gift -- a love flute. A gift from the birds and animals, its tells the girl of his love where words have failed.

Customer Reviews:

Paul Goble retells the Plains Indian legend of the first courting flute.......2005-08-26

It has been a while since I have come across a "new" Paul Goble book (meaning one that I have not seen). Usually in one of his illustrated stories taken from the Plains Indian culture you find out the origins of the story and the sources for Goble's attention to detail in his paintings in the back of the book. But for "Love Flute," the explanation comes up front, before the story. This is where we learn that the titular object was the courting flute, used only by men to play love songs, not just when they were courting but to serenade their wives. When a man died, his flute was wrapped with his body. Goble goes into detail regarding the courtship practices (e.g., the young man brings a large blanket so he can wrap himself and the girl he is wooing underneath it and have some relative privacy in the middle of the camp in plain view of everybody).

However, the focus of "Love Flute" is not on such rich details, but rather on telling the story of the first courting flute. As Goble wryly observed, "men have always needed supernatural help to attract, and to keep, the women they love." This particular version of the story of how the love flute was given to the people is based on various myths, but most specifically one from the Santee Dakota. The story is of a shy young man who would rather face enemy warriors in battle or lead the dangerous buffalo hunt than speak to the girl he loved. He knew in his heart that he could never ever tell the young girl all he wanted to say. In despair the young man left the camp one morning and shot an arrow into the air without thinking about what he was doing. To his surprise the air stayed up in the air, pointing in a direction and leading him on at a walking pace. The young man knew that he was being guided by unseen powers and that something wonderful was going to happen (this particular legend is going to make more of an impression on adolescent students rather than the younger ones who would usually be enthralled by a Paul Goble book).

The love flute is the gift of all of the birds and animals, and one of the things Goble does in telling and illustrating this story is to emphasize how the men of the Plains tribes woo women just like the birds and animals. A young man who was courting would be dressed up in his finest clothing, scenting and painting himself, copying the birds and animals. I have always been impressed by Goble's commitment to depicting the clothing and homes of these people, and items such as their flutes, and the fact that he always details his references. At the front of this book he lists the places around the (mostly) Plains states where he found the fifteen different flutes shown (these are pencil and ink drawings that run from the top to the bottom of a page, accompanying the text and colored illustrations, which continue to demonstrate Goble's wonderful stylized interpretation of the artwork of the Plains Indians. Even if you have not seen examples of such historic artwork, you are going to be hooked on what Goble does, which is why it is good that there are so many of his books out there to be enjoyed.

A Tale that Walks in Beauty.......2001-07-26

An enchanting tale of wonder and love. It is a beautiful story combining the magic of folklore with the magic of alternate forms of communication. Children love it for the magical content. Adults will love it for the sensitive introduction to Native American myth and legend.

How the Stars Fell into the Sky: A Navajo Legend

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How the Stars Fell into the Sky: A Navajo Legend

How the Stars Fell into the Sky: A Navajo Legend
Jerrie Oughton
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back
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ASIN: 0395587980

Book Description

This retelling of a Navajo folktale explains how First Woman tried to write the laws of the land using stars in the sky, only to be thwarted by the trickster Coyote.

Customer Reviews:

How the Stars Fell into the Sky: A Navajo Legend.......2000-11-02

My son is in 2nd grade and they're doing a unit on Native Americans. We read this book together and enjoyed the story as well as the beautiful illustrations. This book also lends itself to do the shadowbox project that goes along with the class studies. I enjoyed the Navajo concept of how the stars are patterned in the sky. We would recommend this book for the 7-9 year old group.

Native American Stories (Myths and Legends)

Average customer rating:

great for children and adults

Native American Stories (Myths and Legends)
Joseph Bruchac
Manufacturer: Fulcrum Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1555910947

Customer Reviews:

great for children and adults.......2004-03-23

i am not a native american but my ansestors were so it is in my blood and i am very proud of it. i had this book when i was a child and i loved the stories and the ways of the [native] americans. this book is great for children, and i think that native american haritage is very important.

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Little Firefly
Terri Cohlene
Manufacturer: Scholastic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Turquoise Boy
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The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush

ASIN: 0439635896

Book Description

Reminiscent of the Cinderella story, this is the enchanting tale of a shy maiden who wins the heart of a great warrior despite her cruel and mocking older sisters.

Customer Reviews:

Colorful Taino Legend.......2002-10-17

George Crspo's book have always been a good source for my storytelling projects--- the illustrations are delightful, true to subject matter yet easy enough for young readers to grasp what is happening. I believe all teachers or parents interested in the history of Puerto Rico and of the Tainos who were here, in the Antilles, way before Columbus arrived---should have a copy of this delightful legend on "How the Sea Began".

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Shingebiss

Shingebiss: An Ojibwe Legend
Nancy Van Laan
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The Streets are Free
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The Hundred Dresses

ASIN: 0395827450

Book Description

Shingebiss, a little merganser duck, can always find plenty to eat. In all seasons, the Great Lake is full of fish. But one cold year the lake freezes over, and Shingebiss has to find a way to fish through the thick ice. To do that, he must face the fierce Winter Maker. Gracefully told and illustrated with vigorous woodcuts, this ancient Ojibwe story captures all the power of winter and all the courage of a small being who refuses to see winter as his enemy. This sacred story shows that those who follow the ways of Shingebiss will always have plenty to eat, no matter how hard the great wind of Winter Maker blows.

Customer Reviews:

Shingebiss.......2000-05-22

Van Laan's retelling of this legend, a favorite of mine as a child, is a wonderful find! The story is comforting and exciting for children as young as 4 as a read to. It's good for use in schools, thanks to her authentic use of Ojibwa names for the characters. But those same names make it hard for younger readers to pick up the book--read it to them first and then they will be motivated to work through the Ojibwa words. I'm only mildly fond of the woodcuts.

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