The Return of the Buffaloes [Hardcover]

Paul Goble (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1996 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Dispatched to learn what has become of the buffalo herds that sustain their people, two Great Plains Native American scouts encounter a mysterious spirit woman who helps them out of their predicament. 20,000 first printing.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Ages 5^-8. Goble, whose picture books include Buffalo Woman (1984), retells another tale about the mysterious woman whose people are the buffalo. In this Lakota myth, spring arrives, but the buffalo do not return. The hunters come back empty-handed from each search, until two young brothers go out and find Buffalo Woman, who promises to send her people to the plains again. The buffalo herds soon thunder around the tepees of the hungry people, who give thanks to the mysterious woman. Goble's artwork shows his delight in color, pattern, silhouette, and Native American motifs. Besides the large paintings on the double-page spreads, he includes small geometric designs copied from traditional parfleches (rawhide pouches) of the Lakota, the Arapaho, and the Cheyenne. Two introductory pages concern parfleches (which appear in the story), including a page to photocopy, paint, cut, and fold into a model parfleche, a project that children and teachers may find worthwhile. Carolyn Phelan

From Kirkus Reviews

In a companion to Buffalo Woman (1984), Goble retells and illustrates an extraordinary story central to the spiritual and cultural life of the Lakota people. The story recalls a time of famine when the people suffered from the absence of wandering buffalo herds. Two strong young men are sent out to search for the beasts and come upon the Washun Niya, or ``Breathing Hole,'' a cave in the Black Hills of South Dakota. They encounter the mystical Buffalo Woman who, after hearing their tales of desperation, promises to ``send out my Buffalo People.'' Goble is customarily generous with supporting information on the Plains Indians: Children can discover the Lakota design elements he incorporates into the art, learn how to make parfleche (an intricately decorated rawhide container for dried meat) and appreciate the use these native people made of every part of the buffalo. Attractive, absorbing fare. (Picture book. 5-10) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books; 1st edition (March 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 079222714X
• ISBN-13: 978-0792227144
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,039,836 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Paul Goble is an award winning author and illustrator of children's books. He has won both the Caldecott Medal and The Library of Congress' Children's Book of the Year Award. To date, Mr. Goble has illustrated over 30 books. He has given his entire collection of original illustrations to the South Dakota Art Museum in Brookings, South Dakota.

Goble, a native of England, studied at the Central School of Art in London. He has lived in the United States since 1977 and became a citizen in 1984. Goble's life-long fascination with Native Americans of the plains began during his childhood when he became intrigued with their spirituality and culture. His illustrations accurately depict Native American clothing, customs and surroundings in brilliant color and detail. Goble researches ancient stories and retells them for his young audiences in a manner sympathetic to Native American ways. Goble lives with his wife in Rapid City, SD.