The Earth Is My Mother (Hardcover)

by Bev Doolittle (Author), Elise Maclay (Contributor)
Key Phrases: creation mountain, Magic Canyon, Charlie Night, Broken Knife Canyon (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8-A book that tries to do too much. Fifth-grader Sarah Stewart is alternately na ve and precociously knowledgeable about all aspects of life in the canyons of the Southwest. Her recently deceased mother was a photographer and nature lover. After a terrifying nightmare suggests a course of action for her, Sarah runs away on a kind of spirit quest to seek a way to save her mother's beloved Magic Canyon, soon to be destroyed by developers. She is accompanied by an American Indian guide whom she later discovers was not alive, but instead was a kind of naturalist "guardian spirit." Her quest includes observation and photography of natural phenomena, survival techniques, frightening encounters with wildlife and the humans who are looking for her, and stories from Native traditions about the interconnectedness of living things. The book is nicely illustrated with Doolittle's signature artwork, including black-and-white pencil sketches overlaid with detailed color paintings. At the end of the novel, these pictures come together to create a picture of a woman embedded in the scenes of canyon life that Sarah has captured with her camera. It is this picture, of "Mother Earth," along with contrived events that save the Magic Canyon. Ambitious in scope and somewhat didactic in tone, this book will have the most appeal to adults interested in Doolittle's dramatic illustrations.
Barbara Chatton, College of Education, University of Wyoming, Laramie
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
Grade 5-8-A book that tries to do too much. Fifth-grader Sarah Stewart is alternately na ve and precociously knowledgeable about all aspects of life in the canyons of the Southwest. Her recently deceased mother was a photographer and nature lover. After a terrifying nightmare suggests a course of action for her, Sarah runs away on a kind of spirit quest to seek a way to save her mother's beloved Magic Canyon, soon to be destroyed by developers. She is accompanied by an American Indian guide whom she later discovers was not alive, but instead was a kind of naturalist "guardian spirit." Her quest includes observation and photography of natural phenomena, survival techniques, frightening encounters with wildlife and the humans who are looking for her, and stories from Native traditions about the interconnectedness of living things. The book is nicely illustrated with Doolittle's signature artwork, including black-and-white pencil sketches overlaid with detailed color paintings. At the end of the novel, these pictures come together to create a picture of a woman embedded in the scenes of canyon life that Sarah has captured with her camera. It is this picture, of "Mother Earth," along with contrived events that save the Magic Canyon. Ambitious in scope and somewhat didactic in tone, this book will have the most appeal to adults interested in Doolittle's dramatic illustrations.
Barbara Chatton, College of Education, University of Wyoming, Laramie 
(School Library Journal )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: The Greenwich Workshop Press; 1 edition (January 4, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 086713044X
• ISBN-13: 978-0867130447
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #682,529 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #54 in

  Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Environment & Ecology > Fiction

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Restoring the circle...., September 29, 2001

By	Dianne Foster "Di" (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

THE EARTH IS MY MOTHER is the tale of a girl named "Star" -- a spunky 11-year and a true heroine. EMM has been beautifully illustrated by Bev Doolittle--known for her "camouflage" Native American and wildlife artwork. Since millions of dollars from the proceeds of Ms. Doolittle's works have gone to support the National Wildlife Federation, you can imagine the major theme of this book is the preservation of the wilderness. The storyline is based on Ms. Doolittle's concept but the text was actually written by Elise Maclay, author of two books of poetry, "Approaching Autumn" and "Green Winter." EMM is a feast for the ear and the eye.

I cannot praise this book enough as it reflects all my core beliefs--that girls can be strong, brave, and caring individuals, that traditional cultures have much to teach us, that we are all part of the great circle of life, and that we are made from stardust and the earth is our mother.

As a childhood fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder's stories, Thorton Burgess' "Old Mother West Wind" tales, and fan of American Indian traditions and lore as well as a lover of the great outdoors, I was pleased to discover a book I could hand to my granddaughters with these words, "You want to know what life is about? read this book."

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars adventure story for children who love nature, June 18, 2000

By A Customer

This is a beautifully written adventure story set in the Southwest which my son and daughter, ages 10 and 11, both loved. It made a terrific family 'read aloud' for all of us. Like most kids today, they are conservationists and lovers of nature and Native American lore. The author artfully sets forth an important environmental issue, destruction of habitat, in an adventure-story format. The 11 year old heroine, Sarah, is brave and delightful, wrestling not only with saving the earth but family difficulties my kids empathized with. The illustrations by Bev Doolittle -- 'camoflague' art the kids loved to piece together -- are gorgeous. We loved it! I'm ordering a few copies for friends -- it's a great summer read for kids.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the earth is my mother, May 18, 2000

By A Customer

When an eleven years old girl, wise beyond her years, deeply feels for the earth and its endless bounty of beauty and truth embarks on a journey that encompasses the circle of life. Her "vision quest" begins to save a magical canyon. Capturing justice with her camera she finds that in her photography along with the assistance of the media, they are able to give back to Mother Earth and its preservation of truth, beauty and the pursuit of happiness. It is recommended for young adults, however, the spirit of this book can touch anyone and it's art is too real!