Customer Reviews

Eagle Boy: A Pacific Northwest Native Tale

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1 star:		(1)

 

 

"Eagle Boy: A Pacific Northwest Native Tale" is retold by Richard Lee Vaughan with illustrations by Lee Christiansen. Together they tell the story of a Native American boy called Eagle Boy by the people of his village. Eagle Boy is scolded by the villagers because he shares his food with the eagles. But when his village faces a food shortage, Eagle Boy's kinship with the winged predators becomes important for everybody.

"Eagle Boy" is a story of ostracism, love, magical transformation, and a mystical human-animal connection. Eagle Boy is a memorable hero. The illustrations are truly marvelous: they are rich with warm colors, and make dramatic use of light and shadow. The book opens with a stunning picture of eagles fishing by the seashore, and contains many other great images. Recommended.

I would need to consult with the tribes mentioned in the earlier review to find out if the portrayal of Native Americans is accurate. Would they really have put someone down for feeding Eagles? I don't know.

But what bothers me the most is when it's time to go and the adults in the tribe just leave the boy behind. Everything I know of Native culture tells me that would have never happened. Native peoples value family above all else, they wouldn't abandon a child.

Do we ever read Pioneer stories where it's time to go and a child is off playing so they just hop back on the wagon and leave him (or her)? It just doesn't happen. And I think this is a fair analogy.

For this fact alone, I would not read it to Native children. Nor would I read it to non-Native children because I wouldn't want to perpetuate that image of Native peoples.

I know there are Native American traditional oral stories that were created to teach lessons and therefore have some harsh characters or challenging storylines, but when told, there is a storyteller there to help interpet - so children aren't left with negative images of the culture.

I just don't think this book should exist without the proper context - if there even is one. Left alone it is damaging to the image of Native culture and we don't need anymore of that in our world.

Sharing, kindness and friendship are the main themes in this wonderful Native American folktale. Readers will become aware of the true bonds that can develop between humans and animals. That is an invaluable lesson that will help deepen appreciation for nature.

A tale of simple believing and self forgiveness. By letting go of the anger, including the ego and pride, Eagle Boy coupled the powerful believing in friendships and trusting in the inner spirit within all true hearts, a transformation of healing can take place in our inner mind and body, within our families, whithin our communities, within the nation and around the world. Imagine and conceive the resulting peace that cannot be robbed from us, no matter the events of the world. Great retelling of this legend, that combines the best in many cultures and beliefs. Perfect for these very times.

Loved the story. My son is native and really gets into stories like this. He is three and will be able to grow into this book well.