The earth under Sky Bear's feet

Children's Literature - Mary Sue Preissner

Bruchac's focus with this collection of 12 Native American poems is of the celebration of nature. Gathering poems from various tribes, the stars, moon, earth, and night are put forth in beauty often missed by those who thrive during the daylight. Each is presented on the left quarter of the page, with Locker's magnificent paintings completing the rest of the spread. Attention to detail, boldness of color, and sharp lines bring the beauty of nature, and particularly the night, to life. It is a companion book to Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back, also illustrated by Locker.

School Library Journal

Gr 1-6-A companion to Bruchac's Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back (Philomel, 1992). In that title, a grandfather shared the moon's legends with his grandson. In this book, a grandmother relates the legend of Sky Bear to her granddaughter. Sky Bear (also known as the Big Dipper) circles the Earth each night, and these 12 poems tell of what she sees and hears. Each one is from a different tribe: Mohawk, Anishinabe, Pima, Missisquoi, Winnebago, Cochiti Pueblo, Lenape, Chumash, Inuit, Lakota, Navajo, and Pawnee. Bruchac has once again compiled a thoughtful collection that eloquently bears out the theme of unity among all creatures. The selections display a wide range of emotions. Some are pensive meditations; others resound with hopeful energy. ``Mouse's Bragging Song,'' a whimsical delight, is the arrogant boast of a little creature who thinks he alone can touch the sky. Locker's luminous oil paintings add detail and depth. They glow with brilliant sky colors: sunset reds, twilight purples. The Earth Under Sky Bear's Feet lives up to the high standards of Bruchac's earlier works, and is a worthy addition.-Marilyn Taniguchi, Santa Monica Public Library, CA

Karen Hutt

nger for reading aloud. To quiet her granddaughter's fear of the approaching darkness, Grandmother shares what Sky Bear (also known as the Big Dipper) sees and hears through the night. This companion volume to Bruchac's "Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back: A Native American Year of Moons" (1992) presents 12 nature stories, each from a different North American Indian tribe, about summer fireflies, blooming cacti, the northern lights, and an old wolf's predawn song. Locker's richly colored paintings capture the mood of each story, from the midnight sun of the Inuit to the seven stars sparkling against a blue-black sky. Similar in format to the earlier book, this offers easily accessible folklore that will appeal to young listeners and readers. Source notes appended.