United States Books

The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale

Angela Elwell Hunt, Tim Jonke (Illustrator)

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Subjects -> Children's Books -> Literature -> Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths -> United States -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 75 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Wonderful book! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is a wonderful book for all ages! The meaning is beautiful. Highly recommend!!!

Best Story Ever 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is one of the best books ever; for children and adult. If you have Christian Beliefs, I highly recommend it.

tnvolsgirl 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I love this book and so do my kids. I'm sure my grandkids will too. I was surprised at what excellent condition it was for a used book. Even the cover looked really good. Thanks much!

Christian Classic 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

There is something absolutely timeless about this story--that is probably where the "traditional folktale" bit comes in. I'm not sure just how old the story itself is but I can see why it is still loved today. Ms. Hunt does an incredible job retelling this meaningful and beautiful story of a connection with Jesus Christ through sweet, emotional prose and fantastic pictures. Definitely a keeper.

Great story! 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

It's a touching story and the illustration is beautiful. I'm glad I found this book on Amazon. But for now, I think I enjoy the book more than my 2 year old. May be in a couple years he can start to understand the meaning of the story.

Editorial Review:

Once upon a mountaintop, three trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up. Each of their dreams come true in the most unexpected of ways.

The Complete Tales of Uncle Remus

Joel Chandler Harris

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 22 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

! 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

In English class one year in fourth grade we spent a quarter discussing Uncle Remus' stories.
We discovered they were some of the most complex children's stories.

The stories are funny and told with a light hearted manner, and are sure to delight anyone who reads them.

The Complete Tales of Uncle Remus 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This book was purchased as a gift for a friend after a discussion about the stories that we read to our children as they were growing up. Unfortunately over the years she lost many items because of her husband dislike for things being around. I was very please to see the number of stories and the overall presentation of this book. My youngest child is now 30 years old and I would still like to read these stories just for myself to bring back so many memories.

Editorial Review:

It's been more than a hundred years since the publication of the first Uncle Remus book, and it was in 1955 that all of the delightful and inimitable tales of Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, Brer Bear, and Brer Wolf were gathered together in one volume. All of the animal tales from eight books are here, along with the illustrations which originally accompanied them.

The Rough-Face Girl

Rafe Martin

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 28 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Can you see him? 5 out of 5 stars.
10 of 11 people found this review helpful.

"Wretched" might be the biggest difference between the Algonquin Indian Cinderella and European Cinderellas. Over 1500 versions have been collected throughout the world. They have in common the themes that justice will prevail and evil will be punished. These are the common denominators, no matter where the story may be set.

"The Rough-Face Girl" takes place along the shores of Lake Ontario. She wasn't born with a rough face--her older sisters make her sit beside the fire and feed the flames. When the burning branches pop, sparks hit the girl, scarring her arms, her legs, her clothes, her face and her hair. She is a mess and is too embarrassed to go outside her wigwam. It is a wretched situation.

One day the the two sisters ask their father for all manner of dressy clothes because they plan to propose to the Invisible Being who lives in a giant wigwam across the village. Their father gives all he has and the two strut through the village, certain they will marry the Invisible Being. His sister awaits them at the door. The only requirement to marry him is to see him first.

His sister quizzes them and learns immediately that they have not seen her brother. No, we don't know what his bow is made of. And, no, we don't what his sled runner is made of? After foolishly strutting TO the wigwam, they have to drag themselves home, carrying shame and disappointment.

The Rough-Face Girl wakes up one day and says she is going to marry the invisible Being. She has seen him. Her father has little left to give her, so she makes some things out of bark and reeds. People laugh at her as she walks to the giant wigwam. She describes the IB's bow and his sled runner. When the IB claims her, she has bathed in the lake, rejoicing when her scars wash off. "They live together in great gladness and were never parted."

Evil is punished and justice triumphs. It's a happy-ever-after story, one of the "most magical, mysterious, and beautiful of all Cinderellas,"(Author's note).

As a footnote, I must comment on David Shannon's glowing, romantic artwork. He is the same illustrator of the David series. Click on one of these titles to see a difference in style just on the covers alone.
No, David!
David Gets in Trouble
Alice The Fairy

Editorial Review:

In an Algonquin village by the shores of Lake Ontario, many young women have tried to win the affections of the powerful Invisible Being who lives with his sister in a great wigwam near the forest. Then came Rough-Face Girl, scarred from working by the fire. Can she succeed where her beautiful, cruel sisters have failed?.

Tops & Bottoms (Caldecott Honor Book)

Janet Stevens

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Subjects -> Children's Books -> Animals -> Bears -> Fiction

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 26 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Clever... Witty... Humorous... Must Have for Teachers 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Stevens, J. (1995). Tops and bottoms. New York: Harcourt Brace & Company.

Synopsis: When Hare loses everything he owns to a risky bet with a persistent tortoise, his family's lives are in danger of starvation. While Hare's family is in danger of starving, his neighbor, Bear, lies around lazily as his richly fertile farm fields lay untouched. Being a sly trickster, Hare devises a plan outsmart his slothful neighbor. Hare offers to plant, water, weed, and harvest his Bear's fields and split the profits 50/50. What Bear doesn't know is that Hare has a trick up his sleeve. Hare plants roots crops and gives Bear the tops. Then he plants leaf and stem vegetables and gives Bear the bottoms. Finally, Bear demands a season of both tops and bottoms. Hare plants the trickiest vegetable of all which really surprises Bear and the readers. In the end, Hare is able to buy back his own land and open a vegetable stand.

Evaluation: Can Hare outsmart the son of a brainy business bear? Readers will recognize this jovial trickster who triumphs by virtue of his quick wit. Stevens notes that his tale is adapted from European folktales and slave stories of the American South. This tale also has similarities with African Anansi stories. Although the author does not indicate any actual sources from which she adapted this tale, it is wildly humorous and worthy of reading for many years to come. Stevens' humorous extension of the Tortoise and Hare tale leaves young children wondering. However, older children and adults can clearly see the humor in the connection. In addition, most children do not see the humor in the fact that Hare and Mrs. Hare have hordes of small bunnies at home. Stevens' bold watercolor, pencil and gesso illustrations cover every inch of each vertically oriented double page spreads draw readers into this sharp tale. The vertical format allowed Stevens to create a tall canvas on which to illustrate succulent vegetables growing in the fields. Each page is full of exuberant details and simple boxed text. Educators will continue pulling this text out for students during spring planting and fall harvesting as a read aloud year after year. Children ages 5-10 will love hearing this tale for many years.

Editorial Review:

Hare solves his family’s problems by tricking rich and lazy Bear in this funny, energetic version of an old slave story. With roots in American slave tales, Tops & Bottoms celebrates the trickster tradition of using one’s wits to overcome hardship. “As usual, Stevens’ animal characters, bold and colorful, are delightful. . . . It’s all wonderful fun, and the book opens, fittingly, from top to bottom instead of from side to side, making it perfect for story-time sharing.”--Booklist

The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush

Tomie dePaola

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

An Indian legend about how different people have different talents 4 out of 5 stars.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful.

As is the case in all cultures, there are people more and less suited for various tasks. In the world of the American Indians of the plains all life revolved around hunting the buffalo. However, not all boys are meant to be fierce warriors, some are simply not suited to the task. This book is about Little Gopher, a boy who had a Dream-Vision of his grandfather where he was told that he was to paint the pictures of the warriors rather than be one. His canvas was to be stretched white buckskin, his brushes made from the hairs of different animals and his colors were made from rocks and berries. He painted scenes of his people in action, but for some time he longed to make an accurate rendition of a sunset as he never seemed able to create the right colors.
One night he had another vision where he was told that because he had remained true to his calling, on the next day he would be able to sit on a hill and capture the sunset in a painting. He succeeded and he left his brushes on the hill when he carried the painting down to show it to his tribe. The next day his brushes had taken root and had turned into plants with brilliant reds, oranges and yellows. Because of his deeds, the people of his tribe changed his name to He-Who-Brought-the-Sunset-to-the-Earth. This is the legend of how the Indian Paintbrush flowers came into existence.
Like so many other legends of the American Indians, this is a story worth reading. Superbly illustrated using a minimum of color, I recommend this story to all elementary school children.

Editorial Review:

This vivid retelling of an old Texas legend reveals how the Indian paintbrush, the state flower of Wyoming, first bloomed, and how a young brave dreams of creating a painting that will capture the beauty of a sunset. "A handsome retelling."--Booklist, starred review. An American Bookseller Pick of the List Book. A NCSS Notable Children's Trade Book. Full color.

How the Stars Fell into the Sky: A Navajo Legend (Sandpiper Houghton Mifflin Books)

Jerrie Oughton

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

How the Stars Fell into the Sky: A Navajo Legend 4 out of 5 stars.
16 of 16 people found this review helpful.

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.

How the stars fell into the sky? 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This is a thought provoking legend about the origin of the stars - the patterns and the absence of patterns to be found there. It contrasts human behaviour - represented by the first woman, with animal behaviour - represented by a coyote, and would be ideal for any child to hear, think about and to read. The illustrations are bold and vivid.

Starry, Starry Night...This is a beautiful story... 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I actually purchased this book because I loved the cover art, and the title, "How the Stars Fell into the Sky," intrigued me. The image of the Navajo woman, star in hand, gazing up thoughtfully into the dark, "new" sky really captured and held my attention. I wanted to read this book! :) I also felt that it would be worth sharing and discussing with my students.

The illustrations are amazing; they feel warm, soft, and alive--not harsh or garish at all. Each image underscores the emotions and actions of this story of First Woman who wants to communicate laws to her people---present and future--in such away as the laws would always be accessible and always be remembered. She carefully places stars in certain patterns until the impatient, meddling Coyote offers to help--which eventually brings the woman grief and human beings confusion.

What's interesting about this story is the dynamic comparison / contrast that occurs with the main characters: First Man, First Woman, and Coyote. The First Man and the Coyote (Man and animal) are both extremely impatient to be getting onto other here and now "Life" activities while the First Woman considers the future, believing that writing the laws is necessary. Writing the laws requires time and careful efforts. It is a sacred duty she takes seriously. Thus, in this tale, the woman is the respectable, responsible, beyond-the-moment person and the dedicated law giver. (Some world legends and myths tend to place women in subservient roles and / or vilify them.) Her only mistake is trusting the Coyote to help her. [Perhaps, this is the warning embedded in the story: beware of "animal instincts," "urges," and haste because they can cause unhappiness, discord, and disorder.]

"How the Stars Fell into the Sky" contains the following collection of universal themes that can be examined and discussed in group / class settings:

First Woman is compelled to write the laws of her people. (Her mission, her divine calling)
First Woman cares for her people and their welfare. (Identification with a Group)
Coyote enters the scene (Animals with human characteristic--talents and flaws.)
First Woman trusts the Coyote at first. (Innocence)
First Woman witnesses the Coyote's tragic deed. (Experience)
First Woman respects the world, nature, and all its cycles (Acceptance)
Humanity has often looked to the heavens / stars for guidance.
Stars are jewels of the sky
trust / distrust
impatience and haste
darkness and light
organization; chaos (confusion)

Editorial Review:

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.

Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back

Joseph Bruchac

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Delightful 5 out of 5 stars.
12 of 13 people found this review helpful.

I was fortunate to hear the author speak in the early 90s in my hometown of Syracuse, NY. He is an engaging storyteller. It was then that I discovered his book. The artwork in this edition is rich and appealing. The vignettes of each moon, combined with the illustrations, make an appealing canvas for young and/or exploring minds.

Lucky 13 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Beautiful illustrations and simple prose make this a quietly poetic and aesthetically pleasing selection to read to kids three years old and up. A great introduction to the Native American concept of the seasons of the year and the close and personal relationship with all of Nature.

Traditional View of Seasonal meanings 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This book is an excellent work of Native American children's literature. Joseph Bruchac is a well-known Abenaki story-teller who profiles in this book the thirteen moons of the year, and profiles for each moon what is important about that season to different Native Nations. The artwork is a beautiful compliment to the story. If you are looking for a solid and sensitive look at inter-tribal stories for children, this is a great place to start!

Editorial Review:

s on Turtle's shell stand for the 13 cycles of the moon, each with its own name and a story that relates to the changing seasons. Joseph Bruchac and Jonathan London collaborate to reveal the beauty of the natural world around us, while Thomas Locker's illustrations honor both Native American legends and the varied American landscape. Full color.

Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest

Gerald McDermott

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

glorious, sumptuous and respectful 5 out of 5 stars.
6 of 7 people found this review helpful.

I get antsy when Native American themes and stories appear in children's books. Too often they reek of cultural misappropriation.

But this beautiful book--gorgeous watercolor backgrounds to the Northwest Native American-style imagery--feels respectful, and does a great telling of a favorite Tlingit Haida tale of how light came into the world.

The illustration of the morphing of the Sky Chief's spoiled grandson back into Raven is particularly effective.And when Raven fills the sky with the sun in his beak, it's very easy to buy into this story as a valid creation myth.

I've now bought three copies of this book for various pre-schoolers I know, and all my grown-up friensd who've seen this book have fallen in love with it, too. This is a definite winner, bound to become as classic in its own way as Robert McCloskey's ``Blueberries for Sal.''

Editorial Review:

Raven, the trickster, wants to give people the gift of light. But can he find out where Sky Chief keeps it? And if he does, will he be able to escape without being discovered? His dream seems impossible, but if anyone can find a way to bring light to the world, wise and clever Raven can!

The Classic Tales of Brer Rabbit

Joel Chandler Harris

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Poor editing and awful typos, otherwise - loved it. 3 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I bought this while in New Orleans to give to my granddaughters. I have been reading each story aloud to them. They love the stories and the illustrations.
I am so disappointed that the publisher did not correct the typesetting errors. I had to adjust what I was saying so that the improper syntax and typos would not be heard by my listeners. What a sad impact on a great book. Now I want to purchase another for my sister's children. I plan to include 10 or 20 one-dollar bills as finders rewards for them to identify the mistakes in the book. Hope that is enough. Basically making lemonade out of lemons. This book should be reprinted and offered as free replacement for current owners. Even Uncle Remus would have done that.

Editorial Review:

This Courage Classic is reformatted into a smaller trim size and a lower price sure to make them necessities in any library. Beautiful, rich, and vibrant illustrations accompany these classic tales and make them treasures for all to read.

Don Daily's exquisitely detailed illustrations make this hardcover series a great value. Retold from Joel Chandler Harris's Uncle Remus: His Songs and Sayings, children of all ages will laugh at the adventures of Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, and Brer Bear.

The Legend of the Bluebonnet

Tomie dePaola

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A sad but inspiring and very beautiful story. 5 out of 5 stars.
14 of 15 people found this review helpful.

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.

This book is a treasure.

Editorial Review:

This favorite legend, based on Comanche lore, tells the story of how the bluebonnet, the state flower of Texas, came to be. A "Reading Rainbow" Review Title. An American Bookseller Pick of the List Book. A Booklist Children's Editors' Choice. A NCSS Notable Children's Trade Book. Full color.