Brother Wolf: A Seneca Tale [Hardcover]

Harriet Peck Taylor (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 17, 1996 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Wolf is a friend to everyone, even Raccoon, who likes to tease him. Then one day Raccoon goes too far. He covers Wolf's eyes, so that Wolf does not know night from day.

In his misery, Wolf calls out to the birds. Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Cardinal, Oriole, Hummingbird, Goldfinch, Owl, and Wood Duck fly to his aid. Wolf wants to thank them with a gift. But first, he says, he must find that rascal Raccoon . . .

Harriet Peck Taylor's dignified retelling of this tale from Seneca lore is filled with mischief and fun and "explains" two of nature's mysteries--how the wolf came to be seen as wily and wise, and how the birds became resplendent with color. The artist's breathtaking batiks bring the story vividly to life.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3?In this lighthearted pourquoi tale from Seneca lore, petty arguing results in retribution on both sides, but all is quickly forgiven. Wolf, in a bad mood, gets involved in an all-night exchange of insults with Raccoon, who waits until his adversary is asleep to coat his eyes with a plaster of clay and tar. Unable to see in the morning, Wolf howls for help. Birds peck away the patches and Wolf promises them a reward. Then he and his feathered friends find Raccoon sleeping in a hollow log and roll him downhill. The colorless birds' reward is to be painted as brightly as the flowers from dyes of the earth?berries, clay, and plants. Raccoon wants to be decorated, too, and Wolf, all differences forgiven, gives him black rings around his tail. The tale, clearly told in simple language, is greatly enhanced by the vivid colors of Taylor's skillful batiks. Strong lines and somewhat primitive shapes create easily recognized species of animals and plants. The characters' expressions vary from pleasant to fierce. Even before the birds' transformation, the world is full of color. The treatment of the sky is particularly effective, changing from a wonderful night purple to an intense early morning yellow or an interior forest green. A long list of secondary sources is included.?Sally Margolis, formerly at Deerfield Public Library, IL
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 4^-7. This Seneca tale relates how Wolf and Raccoon are friends, but they enjoy teasing each other. After the teasing has turned to insults, Raccoon comes upon the sleeping Wolf and covers his eyes with tar and clay. The mixture hardens, and Wolf has to beg the birds to peck away the seal so that he can see again. After taking his revenge by rolling the sleeping Raccoon's hollow tree home down a hill, Wolf shows his gratitude to the birds by painting their feathers with bright dyes and offers his forgiveness to Raccoon by painting stripes on his tail. Taylor cites several sources for this pleasing pourquoi tale. In the appended notes, she comments on the Seneca and the roles of Wolf and Raccoon in their stories. The large-scale batik illustrations, with their distinctive look, will please young children with their clarity and freshness. A satisfying read-aloud. Carolyn Phelan

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); 1st edition (September 17, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374309973
• ISBN-13: 978-0374309978
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.4 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,593,110 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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