DOWN FROM THE LONELY MOUNTAIN

by Jane Louise Curry ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 7, 1965

This is a collection of California Indian animal myths with stories centering on the origin of the land, the theft of fire and light and the misadventures which arise from certain personality traits attributed to the various animals. Storytellers should be alert to the mildly stylized pattern of speech which is usually successful in suggesting Indian dignity and economy of words, read all at one sitting it can begin to wear. The author commands her subject best in the last stories of the book and it is in these that a sense of humor and drama come through. The most memorable animal character is Coyote, who appears throughout, always consistently motivated by egotism and alive with foolery. Enroco Arno's black and white drawings are well designed and, like the text, speak best in conjunction with the more amusing stories. This should have the usual strong regional market but offers some possibilities for storytellers anywhere.

Pub Date: April 7, 1965

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harcourt, Brace & World

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1965

Categories: CHILDREN'S