The ritual of storytelling is given as much prominence as the 13 Native American tales themselves, first heard by Eagle...

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FULL MOON STORIES: Thirteen Native American Legends

The ritual of storytelling is given as much prominence as the 13 Native American tales themselves, first heard by Eagle Walking Turtle as a child. Approximately once a month, during the evening of the full moon, the author's grandfather would gather the children near the stove for a story and hot tea. The stories and primitive illustrations show native peoples' ties to animals such as the moose, the horse, and the magpie. While the stories are entertaining, they also express the interrelationships of all the world's creatures. The story about the buffalo, for example, is more of a remembrance of buffalo's historical importance to Native Americans and of their ongoing reverance for it. As the seasons change, so do the children's activities that act as frames for the stories: Winter means school, summer is the time for the powwow and for visiting friends. Ultimately, it's the connection of the stories to the teller and listeners' lives that makes the book special.

Pub Date: May 1, 1997

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 48

Publisher: Hyperion

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 1997

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