The Song of Hiawatha [Hardcover]

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (Author), Margaret Early (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's classic epic poem The Song of Hiawatha is revered for its environmental message and its moving plea for peace. It recalls life in close touch with the natural world, and it is, as well, an affecting love story. The Song of Hiawatha has never lost its freshness, revealing greater depths with the passing of time.
Margaret Early's expressive paintings illuminate the formative moments of Hiawatha's life with grace and beauty. At the same time, these stunning paintings transport the young reader into the world of Native American legend in which man and nature lived in a balance that, however idealized, sets a standard for the planet.
Exquisitely designed, gloriously illustrated, and presented in sensitively selected passages with bridging text that links Longfellow's words into a seamlessly satisfying story, this volume is one to be treasured.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3 Up-This picture-book version of the American epic is sure to elicit a wide spectrum of reactions. In contrast to Susan Jeffers's Hiawatha (Dial, 1983), a treatment that covers the legendary Native American leader's childhood, Early provides a broader scope. In spreads containing text on the left and an illustration on the right, she begins with Gitche Manito's descent to Earth to call the hostile tribes to peace and to promise a prophet to lead them. Excerpts from the poem describe Hiawatha's maternal line and cosmic paternity, his early life with old Nokomis, his prowess as a hunter, the confrontation with his father (the West-Wind), and his marriage to Minnehaha. Brief bits of prose stand in for the missing stanzas. The paintings are decorative in nature, a quality emphasized by the quiltlike borders on each page. The scenes have a staged, static quality, with carefully placed, furry woodland creatures; stylized figures; and mystical backdrops. While this approach is not out of sync with the poem's predictable cadences, it is not for all tastes. A historical note discusses the choices Longfellow made in designing his composite character, as well as his sources. Most libraries will want to purchase this title in order to offer a fresh and somewhat expanded, illustrated version of the classic to a new generation.
Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library
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From the Publisher

Founded in 1906 by J.M. Dent, the Everyman Library has always tried to make the best books ever written available to the greatest number of people at the lowest possible price. Unique editorial features that help Everyman Paperback Classics stand out from the crowd include: a leading scholar or literary critic's introduction to the text, a biography of the author, a chronology of her or his life and times, a historical selection of criticism, and a concise plot summary. All books published since 1993 have also been completely restyled: all type has been reset, to offer a clarity and ease of reading unique among editions of the classics; a vibrant, full-color cover design now complements these great texts with beautiful contemporary works of art. But the best feature must be Everyman's uniquely low price. Each Everyman title offers these extensive materials at a price that competes with the most inexpensive editions on the market-but Everyman Paperbacks have durable binding, quality paper, and the highest editorial and scholarly standards. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (September 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593540027
• ISBN-13: 978-1593540029
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 10.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,858,145 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great campfire book that really makes you think., December 7, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Song of Hiawatha (Hardcover)

"The Song of Hiawatha" is the best book I have ever been exposed to. Every time I hear the wonderful rhyme of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, I begin to think of what this land was like before the Europeans conquered it. It is a wonderful tale of peace between nations and a great book to read to children.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly nice, April 18, 2009

By 

Benedict "Benedict" (SAN FRANCISCO, CA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Song of Hiawatha (Dover Thrift Editions) (Paperback)

I liked this piece quite a bit. Hiawatha was loosely based on a real Indian chief of the 1500's. Walt Disney has done this poem a great disservice by making it possibly one of his silliest characters ever. Longfellow had read a history of Hiawatha and then wrote a grand poem. It surprised me but this poem really is in the stream of Beowolf and Gilgamesh. This poem does not have the passion I found in Beowolf and Gilgamesh, but it reminds me of what it was like to live on this continent before the Europeans arrived, and long afterwards. The power of nature through its spiritual and apparent manifestations is key. In this poem all nature talks. Ben

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect book for all ages, June 14, 2009

By 

Gloria Kennedy - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Song of Hiawatha (Dover Thrift Editions) (Paperback)

I purchased this book for my grandson so we could read it together before going to a regional presentation of the poem. He is 8 years old, and got so much more from the play because he had read the poem. The book was of good quality.