Buffalo Dreams [Paperback]

Kim Doner (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

The Bearpaw children learn of a white buffalo calf that is born on a ranch far from their home. The family leaves on a spontaneous pilgrimage in their camper to take gifts to the newborn. The children had grown up with the story of the White Buffalo Calf Woman, the powerful spirit who saved a starving tribe in ancient times, and had been reborn in the form of a white buffalo.   But the white calf is protected by its large mother. What will happen to the children in the moonlight inside the corral?

 

A contemporary story that resonates with young readers of all backgrounds is based on an oral story passed down in the Bearpaw family.  The White Buffalo Calf Woman, the powerful spirit who had saved a starving tribe in ancient times, had been reborn in the form of a white buffalo calf. Now that story seems to be coming true for the Bearpaw children.

 

The book includes the retelling of the original legend of the White Buffalo Calf Woman as well as step-by-step instructions with illustrations showing how to make your own dreamcatcher.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In Native American legend, White Buffalo Calf Woman saved a tribe from starvation and, according to an opening author's note, when a rare white buffalo was born in 1994, many people traveled long distances to honor the sacred calf. In Doner's (The Buffalo in the Mall) pilgrimage story, Sarah Bearpaw and her family decide to pay their respects to the newborn white buffalo calf they have seen on TV. The climax shows Sarah saving her brother from the protective mother buffalo when he attempts to "touch magic" (pet the calf). Though the scene seems a bit abrupt, it serves its purpose: Sarah ultimately gets to touch the calf, while the painting of the sacred white creature emerging from the shadows emanates its legendary significance. The overwritten prose may drive the point home a bit too hard ("Maybe magic doesn't make you do something special. Maybe you do something special, and it makes magic"), yet readers will come away with the understanding that such spiritual exchanges require a willingness on both sides. The realistic artwork is hampered by a cartoonish treatment of the overeager brother, but such engaging touches as vaguely bison-shaped white clouds and a tight close-up of the limpid-eyed calf that practically puts the fluffy creature in readers' laps compensate. The book ends with a brief retelling of the legend (an excellent in-depth example is Paul Goble's Lakota retelling, The Legend of the White Buffalo Woman) and instructions for making a dreamcatcher. Ages 7-up.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4-The rare birth of a white buffalo on a Wisconsin ranch in 1994 inspired this picture book. According to Native legend, such an event signifies the beginning of a time of peace. This tale provides a fresh look at modern belief in a still-powerful legend. When the Bearpaw family visits the miraculous creature, five-year-old Joe gets out of his sleeping bag in the middle of the night and goes to touch her, even though he has been forbidden to do so. After his older sister saves him from the protective mother buffalo, she experiences a "magical" moment with the calf and decides to leave her dreamcatcher as a gift instead of entering it in a contest. The sweet story is written with much sensory detail. The full-color artwork portrays Native faces kindly and beautifully. The unusual points of view and varied qualities of light focus on the emotional content of the pictures. This unique title could be paired with Joel Monture's Cloudwalker (Fulcrum, 1996). The full text of the ancient legend is included, along with detailed directions for dreamcatcher construction.
Cris Riedel, Ellis B. Hyde Elementary School, Dansville, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Westwiinds Press; First Edition, Illustrated edition (September 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155868476X
• ISBN-13: 978-1558684768
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 11 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #857,122 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buffalo Dreams is grounded in Native American Spirituality., November 9, 1999

By 

Joan Shaddox Isom "Joan" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Buffalo Dreams (Paperback)

BUFFALO DREAMS is grounded in Native American (Sioux) spirituality including a retelling of the legend of the White Buffalo Calf Woman. The newborn white buffalo calf is the focus of the story, but Sara, the protagonist, learns something about herself as she touches the magic of the calf. Sarah says, "Maybe magic doesn't make you do something special. Maybe you do something special, and it makes magic." Young readers, with an adult's help, can make a dreamcatcher using Doner's clear instructions. The illustrations are delightful, particularly the buffalo clouds. Doner states in the author's note: "For a culture to thrive, Story must be breathed into the mouths of the next generation and ever passed on." BUFFALO DREAMS is a such a story.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buffalo Tears, March 10, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Buffalo Dreams (Paperback)

This book made me cry it was so good!!!!

I am going to write a skit about it.