Did You Hear Wind Sing Your Name?: An Oneida Song of Spring [Library Binding]

Sandra De Coteau Orie (Author), Christopher Canyon (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1995 | Age Level: 5 and up

Pictures and words pay homage to the Oneida Indians' view of the cycle of spring.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Debut author Orie, who grew up on an Oneida reservation, describes this book as a song, "a celebration of the circle of life-the return of morning to night as well as of each cycle of the seasons." Pitched in a soothing cadence, her narrative poses a series of questions, asking readers if they have heard, seen or experienced various phenomena that signal the approach of spring. Though her brief introductory note explains the meaning of certain Oneida symbols, many of her questions may seem obscure ("Does your memory bring Sweet Grass's fragrance?"; "Did you see the fields of the Three Sisters coming?"; "Did you see Trillium's Stars lying upon the Forest bed's heaven?"). More appropriately geared to the target audience are Canyon's (The Ever-Living Tree) dramatic, large-scale paintings, in which animals, insects, birds and flowers and are rendered in impressive detail. Beadwork motifs enliven the endpapers. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4?Orie's celebration of Spring is full of imagery reflecting Oneida traditions. Structured as a series of questions, the song/poem explores the sensations, emotions, and spiritual experiences connected with the season: a hawk circling in the sky; the Three Sisters (corn, beans, and squash) sending out their green shoots; the first wild strawberries. The arrangement of the text?one question per double spread?emphasizes the contemplative quality of the verse. Each one evokes an image and invites reflection. An author's note explains the significance of the various symbols depicted. Canyon's lush, vibrant, double-page paintings spill out of their frames and are rich in detail, revealing dewdrops on a snail's shell; imperfections in a green leaf; and scattered spider webs that herald the final depiction of a complete web. The simple, graceful, italic typeface serves to unite text and illustrations. While the pictures are large and clear enough to be seen by a group, the calm exuberance of the poem lends itself best to one-on-one sharing. The book is an especially appropriate supplement for school units on Natvie American culture.?Donna Scanlon, Lancaster County Library, PA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Walker & Co (Lib) (April 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802783511
• ISBN-13: 978-0802783516
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,611,589 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For all generations, August 23, 2001

By 

APIMom1999 "wolfsky" (Memphis, Tn United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Did You Hear Wind Sing Your Name?: An Oneida Song of Spring (Paperback)

Wonderful illustrations, words that speak to the heart and soul. This is a great book for all ages. My 20 month old son loves the pictures and the sing-song rhythmn of the words, my 82 year old father loves the spirit of the book. We have the paperback in our sons library, and the hardback on our family library for future generations... Walk in peace, ...

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, September 22, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Did You Hear Wind Sing Your Name?: An Oneida Song of Spring (Paperback)

I can't decide who enjoys this book more? Me or the kids. Beautifully written and illustrated. A must have for all nature lovers with children (or without).

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational, October 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Did You Hear Wind Sing Your Name?: An Oneida Song of Spring (Paperback)

This book is the best children's story to read to your kids on a fresh, April morning. It is a poetic journey through the natural world just as Spring begins. The illustrations are breathtaking, bold, and seem to flow off the page into your hand as you turn from one awesome scene to the next. The words, few but powerful, bring the reader through a meditation on the earth's beauty as seen through the eyes of an Oneida woman.