Customer Reviews

In a Circle Long Ago: A Treasury of Native Lore from North America: (Native American; ALA Notable Book)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a book that is guaranteed not just to sit on the shelf. Since we got it, I have found it under beds, in the car, in the bathroom... seemingly everywhere one could possibly read! When it couldn't be located the other day, my son, 9 - who will not hunt for anything - actually became so desperate to find it, that he started to clean up in the hopes of locating it. Also, this is a book that will grow on you. I first picked it up because of the incredibly rich paintings of animals - my favorite is the first one that accompanies The Long Winter. But as we've read it, I've come to love it for its other, smaller illustrations. The text is great because it's not all the same. There are long and short stories and some poems that just stick with you. Nancy van Laan has done an amazing job of researching these stories - her sources includes oral histories and stories previously published only in scholarly journals. But her writing isn't dry at all, but lively. Really, a remarkable book. It would make a perfect gift for anybody - not just a child - fascinated by Native Americans, wild animals or the environment.

I am an interpretive naturalist for a state park. I use the stories in this delightful book for my campfire programs. The stories are excellent for a family audience, amusing, and usually have a lesson within. There are numerous delightful illustrations. This would be a book that could be used for reading aloud to a diverse age range of children.

You know you have a winner when your children are ready early for school to make time for one more quick story from "the beautiful book," before the school bus arrives. The illustrations are as magnificant as the stories are captivating! A Rare joy for the whole family