The Story of the Milky Way: A Cherokee Tale (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Gayle Ross (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With lyric simplicity this retelling of a Cherokee folktale posits an explanation for the origin of the Milky Way, at the same time stressing the merits of communal labor. When a great spirit dog begins to rob cornmeal belonging to an old couple, the wise Beloved Woman devises a plan for the whole village to frighten the dog away for good. Running away across the sky, the dog leaves a trail of dropped cornmeal, each grain of which becomes a star. Only in the final passage does the reader learn that the Cherokee name for the Milky Way means "the place where the dog ran." Stroud's (Doesn't Fall Off His Horse) distinctive, stylized acrylics harmoniously oppose starkly delineated characters with intricately patterned backgrounds; while she renders finely detailed, flower-strewn fabrics amidst flower-strewn fields, she defines faces only by a mauve circle suggestive of a cheekbone. Framing the folktale as a story recounted by a father to his children, Bruchac (The First Strawberry) and Ross (How Turtle's Back Was Cracked) subtly underscore the role of tradition in shaping narrative. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3?Bruchac and Ross retell a Cherokee tale with simplicity and respect. Back when there were few stars in the sky, people depended on corn for their food. An elderly couple finds that someone?or something?is stealing their cornmeal, and their grandson discovers that the thief is a large spirit dog. The villagers catch the dog in the act, and he runs away. As he leaps into the sky, the cornmeal in his mouth spills out, each grain becoming a star in the Milky Way. The story is told in a clear, straightforward style, with careful attention to the cadence of the language. It is accessible on many levels; it will hold the attention of young listeners, yet remain interesting to older readers. Both Bruchac and Ross provide source notes. The acrylic illustrations depict stylized figures and resemble fabric art. Stroud sets the story in the early 1800s, a time when clothing was made of cloth rather than buckskin, and the colors and textures heighten the applique effect, especially the sprigged calicoes worn by the women. The text and illustrations work well together, and the layout makes the book an especially good choice for story time.?Donna L. Scanlon, Lancaster County Library, PA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dial; 1st edition (September 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803717377
• ISBN-13: 978-0803717374
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #989,426 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars A great Milky Way legend, September 27, 2008

By	Emily Taylor "1st Grade Teacher/Scouter Gal" (Northern Utah) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I have always been a sucker for old legends and myths, and as I am also an astronomy nut I could not help but fall for this one. It manages to explain the celestial wonder in a very down-to-earth way that is connected with the community. The real gem, however, of this book is the illustrations.