In her debut picture book, a widely collected Native American artist transports readers to the Oklahoma Territory of the 1890's with the breathtaking--and true--story of a Kiowa boy who earns his warrior name. The sense of camp life in the Kiowa village and the feel of a breathless escape on horseback are evoked in vivid prose and jewel-like art. Full color.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Saygee's great-grandfather, almost 100 years old, is "like a living book," made up of so many stories. During his life great changes have come to his people, the Kiowas, and much time has passed since he earned his warrior name, Doesn't Fall Off His Horse. He tells Saygee how he won that name in his youth, unfolding the tale in stirring, carefully crafted prose. His story is of a brush with death; of bravery and foolishness; of Native American traditions. Stealing horses from Comanches to "count coup" (dishonor an enemy and demonstrate one's own courage), he and his comrades escape the Comanche camp-although he takes a bullet in the neck. In her first picture book, Stroud writes so vividly that the hot breath of the pursuing Comanches can almost be felt. Equally effective are boldly colored yet delicately patterned acrylics. Horses sport coats of violet, manes of aqua, and yet they do not seem unreal. The illustrations, like the text, stream with movement. Ages 6-9.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 1-4-Saygee visits her great-grandfather, who shows her one of his treasures, a leopard-skin quiver, and tells her of an adventure when the lucky quiver didn't help him "make a coup." (The concept of counting coup is explained). He and his young friends in his Kiowa band sneak out of camp and steal ponies from a nearby Comanche camp. The raid is successful, but the narrator is badly wounded from a rifle shot. Clinging to his pony and to the leads of two others, he makes it back home and unexpectedly recovers. Although the elders criticize the boys' bad judgment and foolishness, they praise their bravery and bestow an adult warrior name on the narrator-Doesn't Fall Off His Horse. The artist, a Cherokee, retells this incident from her adoptive Kiowa grandfather's childhood. Her paintings are slightly reminiscent of Paul Goble's linear, stylized, brightly colored art, but they are denser and more naturalistic, with less patterning, than his work. Stroud's palette is especially rich in blues. Although Native American picture books are proliferating, this one is notable for depicting children within their culture as both independent and accountable.
Patricia (Dooley) Lothrop Green, St. George's School, Newport, RI
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Patricia (Dooley) Lothrop Green, St. George's School, Newport, RI
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exquisite! A must-have in every elementary school classroom!,
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This review is from: Doesn't Fall off His Horse (A Kiowa Tale) (Hardcover)
Teachers searching for authentic literature about Native Americans will find this the perfect book for several reasons. First, it is not a set-in-the-past story. Rather, it opens in a modern day home, with a contemporary Native child and her grandfather. Second, it is written by a Native American woman, and her insider experience makes the text ring with the authentic speech patterns of the Kiowa people. Third, Stroud is an award winning artist whose work is known world wide. Her illustrations for the book are stunning. Finally, the story is about two different tribes: the Kiowa and the Comanche. By naming these two groups in the book, Stroud's story can help children understand the diversity that exists in Native American culture. There are presently over 500 tribal entities in the United States; Kiowa and Comanche are only two. It is truly wonderful to have this book in today's classrooms. It helps to counter the idea that Native Americans are extinct and that there is a monolithic tribe.
4.0 out of 5 stars
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This review is from: Doesn't Fall off His Horse (A Kiowa Tale) (Hardcover)
Product (hardcover book) arrived in incredible time -- at least several weeks before I was expecting it (thank you)! Condition of book was as described in product outline and packaged well. Very happy customer -- and my mum will be delighted too, as this is for her in Australia and she couldn't get it shipped to her over there.
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