Grandmother Spider Brings the Sun: A Cherokee Story [Paperback]

Geri Keams (Author), James Bernadin (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

After Possum and Buzzard fail in their attempts to steal a piece of the sun, Grandmother Spider succeeds in bringing light to the animals on her side of the world.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4-The animals live in the dark half of the world and decide to steal a piece of the sun from the other half. First, Possum goes, hiding the stolen piece in the thick fur of his tail. The sun burns the fur right off, and that is why Possum has a hairless tail. Then Buzzard tries, carrying the sun in his thick crown of feathers, which burns off. Finally, Grandmother Spider goes, successfully bringing the sun back in a clay pot, and that is why we see the sun in the center of her web. There are a lot of elements here, and Keams handles them well, telling the story in a lively, informal style that lends itself to reading aloud. Characterizations are broad but distinct and appealing. The text is a little long for story time but will work well for one-on-one reading as well as for older listeners. Bernardin has the difficult task of portraying the animals living in darkness, and he does a good job. Unfortunately, some of the large, dramatic acrylic paintings are simply too dark to be seen easily from a distance. Independent readers and small groups will be better able to appreciate the shadowy details underscoring the main figures. Keams does not cite specific sources, apart from noting that this is a Cherokee story. A tale that will appeal to a wide audience.
Donna L. Scanlon, Lancaster County Library, PA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Geri Keams, a Navajo storyteller and actress tells this Cherokee story of the miniature Prometheus, Grandmother Spider. Told with humor and gloriously illustrated, this book is a great addition to a child's bookshelf and a lavish complement to an adult's comparative mythology library. -- Southwest Children's Review, 1997

In another Native American tale from Northland Publishing, internationally known American Indian storyteller Geri Keams tells the Cherokee story of how light is brought to the dark side of the world. There's a humorous take on this tale and the illustrations are splendid. -- Kids Home Journal, 1996

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Cooper Square Publishing Llc; 1 edition (June 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873586948
• ISBN-13: 978-0873586948
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #876,816 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grandmother Spider Brings the Sun, August 30, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Grandmother Spider Brings the Sun: A Cherokee Story (Paperback)

This is a wonderful telling of a truly Cherokee tale. Most stories written after the oral tradition can be a litte stale. Keams avoids this by modernizing the language for her younger readers. The Coyote, btw, comes from the Western Cherokee, after the removal. I was told this story as a child by my Western Cherokee Grandfather with the Coyote, and by my Eastern Tribes Grandmother without it. It would be correct either way. All in all, a wonderful retelling.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful to Read Aloud, July 4, 2001

By 

Ann Azuma (Kobe, Hyogo-ken Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grandmother Spider Brings the Sun: A Cherokee Story (Paperback)

This marvelous story of how tiny and ancient Grandmothe Spider successfully brings the sun, something larger and more spritely animals before her could not accomplish, was written to be read aloud. Instead of the usual stereotypical "ancient legend storyelling" literary style we often see with retelling of traditional tales, this legend is refreshingly written in a colloquial manner. This style, as well as the two-page layout with text on one side, makes this an excellent book to read aloud. The textures and colors and expressive animal illustrations can be shown to their best advantage. My boys love all the animal pictures, the humor, and the exciting fire-spouting Sun Guard monsters! We return again and again to see and hear the sweet-faced but proud and determined Grandma Spider as she demonstrates why she is so respected and revered.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Story, February 8, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Grandmother Spider Brings the Sun: A Cherokee Story (Paperback)

I have had the pleasure of hearing Geri Keams tell this story in person. It is a very entertaining story. Children will love it! I recomend this book to anyone!