Thunder Bear, an eight-year-old boy growing up in a New Mexico Pueblo village, is at the center of Hazen-Hammond's (Timelines of Native American History) first children's book; at the same time, her crisp color photographs and supple text offer a broader portrait of the rituals and beliefs of the Pueblo nation. The author's primary focus is on the spiritual connection between the Pueblo people and "Ko," or buffalo, which had all but become extinct 100 years ago. Thunder Bear's grandfather, the spiritual leader of their branch of the Pueblo, earlier played an important role in bringing buffalo back to their town, Nambe Pueblo. Now Thunder Bear's father, the tribe's Buffalo Keeper, experiences a "spiritual and cultural renewal" after a new group of buffalo arrives in the village as a result of a court decision?much cheered by the Pueblo?to prohibit buffalo-hunting on a portion of state-owned land. Youngsters will learn much about the age-old bond between Thunder Bear's people and their sacred buffalo "brothers," but still more intriguing is the extent to which Pueblo traditions are embedded in contemporary life. Photos clearly document the integration of old and new: animal skins hang from curtain rods above Thunder Bear's family computer and a grazing buffalo scratches its neck on the author's shiny red car. The lack of captions should not discourage browsers?images and text are carefully coordinated, inviting the reader to dip in at any page. Ages 7-11.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6-Through an interesting text and full-color photographs, Hazen-Hammond tells the tale of Nambe Pueblo and its spiritual leaders, the Yates family. The book focuses on eight-year-old Thunder Bear, who will one day lead his people, and his grandfather and father, who have taken on the responsibility of caring for and protecting the bison and educating their community in traditional practices. After joining the fight to save a group of buffalo living on state land from hunters, they welcomed five rescued animals into their thriving herd. The intriguing design and colors of the pages support the bright, welcoming tone of the work. Information about celebrations, costumes, and the uses of the buffalo is incorporated throughout. The author writes about sacred practices, but acknowledges there were limitations on what she was allowed to see and photograph. While occasionally leaning toward the precious, the book is appealing and uplifting. This thoughtful exploration into one group's culture and their environmental recovery successes will be useful for cultural-studies units.
Mary B. McCarthy, Windsor Severance Library District, CO
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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