Four Ancestors: Stories, Songs, and Poems from Native North America [Hardcover]

Joseph Bruchac (Author), Murv Jacob (Author), Dorothy Strait (Author), S. S. Burrus (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up

Just as we have four grandparents, so might we describe Fire, Earth, Water and Air as our four ancestors. From the giant who pulled the Sun across the sky to the mighty elk who created the earth, Four Ancestors offers tales from more than 30 Native American cultures. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Representing more than 20 tribes, these stories, songs and poems of this collecton are in good hands. As usual, Bruchac tells the tales with opacity, allowing each story's inherent beauty and meaning to shine through. And since the illustrators are either tribal members or Native American descendants, their closeness to the subject nets a medley of styles that reflect both tradition and modern, personal perspectives. The selections are grouped around the themes of Fire, Earth, Water and Air-the "ancestors" of all creation. In the Fire section, for example, the selections relate to fire or to things that reflect "the light of fire," such as sun, moon, stars and fireflies. The sheer breadth of this collection and Bruchac's consistently gifted storytelling merit attention and respect. Ages 7-10.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6?In the traditions of the many native peoples of North America, earth, air, fire, and water are viewed as living beings. According to Bruchac, we can think of these elements as our four ancestors. The tales and poems in this book are grouped around the elements they reflect; for example, the "Water" section includes "The Cloud-Swallower Giant" from the Zuni, "Raven and the Tides" from the Tshimshian people of the Pacific Northwest, and a Papago rain song from the Southwest desert dwellers. Bruchac is an accomplished and energetic storyteller, and his versions of these stories are easily told or read aloud. The songs and poems interspersed throughout add a change of pace with their richly lyrical language. Background notes on each selection are included. Four artists of Cherokee, Ojibway, and San Carlos/Yavapai Apache heritage perfectly complement the text with evocative, full-page paintings and accent pieces. An especially effective design feature is the vertical border on each page that defines the element for that section. This handsome volume will enhance any folklore collection and enliven programs and lessons on Native American lore and ecology.?Connie C. Rockman, formerly at Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Bridgewater Books; First Edition edition (March 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816738432
• ISBN-13: 978-0816738434
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,556,426 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joseph Bruchac is a highly acclaimed Abenaki children's book author, poet, novelist and storyteller, as well as a scholar of Native American culture. Coauthor with Michael Caduto of the bestselling Keepers of the Earth series, Bruchac's poems, articles and stories have appeared in over 500 publications, from Akwesasne Notes and American Poetry Review to National Geographic and Parabola. He has authored more than 50 books for adults and children. For more information about Joseph, please visit his website www.josephbruchac.com.