rabbit's snow dance as told by joseph & james bruchac and illustrated by jeff newman

Bruchac, James, and Joseph Bruchac. Rabbit's Snow Dance, Illustrated by Jeff Newman. New York: Penguin Group, 2012. ISBN: 9780803732704

Plot Summary:
     Rabbit is a snow bunny who loves the Winter snow. He has his own special snow dance he performs to call the snow to fall during Winter; however, one bright sunny Summer day, Rabbit decides he wants it to snow. He sings his song and dances his dance causing it to snow in the middle of Summer, but due to his impatience, Rabbit is in for a surprise.

Critical Analysis:
     Rabbit's Snow Dance is a retelling of a traditional Iroquois story. The authors, James and Joseph Bruchac, retell this traditional story in a friendly and humorous manner while maintaining Native American authenticity. The authors base their main focus around the religious and ceremonial practices of weather dances in Native American culture. They proceed to describe one prominent figure (Rabbit) with the ability and power to call a weather occurrence when there is a lack thereof. In the case of this story, the authors correlate Rabbit with that prominent role of having great responsibility and knowing the importance of tradition.  The story continues as the authors detail how due to Rabbit's impatience and lack of responsibility to his gift, he endures great consequence. Along with the emphasis of traditional practices, the authors also incorporate animistic attributes which coincides with Native American beliefs of animals having living souls. This is shown at the conclusion of the story as the authors state, "...if yo keep an open ear toward the forest, you may just hear a small voice singing this song...," depicting the living soul after Rabbit is gone.
     In addition to the retelling of this story, the authors collaborate with Jeff Newman to illustrate this Iroquois tale. Newman utilizes watercolor, gouache, and ink to add to this story. He uses a simplistic artistic approach by only illustrating the outlines and main parts of each animal and the scenery. This approach allows the audience to not be distracted by detailed images that could result in taking away from the content of the story. Despite the illustrators lack of detail in his art, he is still able to depict the story by his accurate portrayal as he follows the storyline. The authors and illustrator do a good job in providing their audience with a humorous twist on this traditional Iroquois story.

Review Excerpts:

"The father-and-son storytelling team behind Raccoon’s Last Race and Turtle’s Race with Beaver return with their version of a traditional Iroquois tale. While the Bruchacs reach back hundreds of years for the source of their story, Newman’s influences are comparatively modern—think Mary Blair with a touch of Hanna-Barbera. Set back when Rabbit had a “very long, beautiful tail,” the story follows the selfish, impatient animal’s attempts to conjure a massive midsummer snowstorm (rabbit’s big snowshoe-like feet allow him to hop atop the snow and reach “tasty leaves and buds” more easily). His chanting and drumming do the trick, creating so much snow that it covers the treetops and causes difficulties for the small animals; the summer sun that rises the next day, however, brings about rabbit’s comeuppance and costs him his tail. Rabbit and the other animals don’t always look consistent from page to page, as though Newman couldn’t quite settle on a style, but his paintings are nonetheless a welcome departure from the stodgier artwork that can often accompany myths and folk tales." - Publishers Weekly

"When the long-tailed Rabbit wants something, he wants it immediately. One summer, tasty leaves high in the trees prove so irresistible to Rabbit that he decides he needs piles of snow to build up to the point he can reach the leaves. Small animals, such as Squirrel and Chipmunk, warn Rabbit that bringing snow in the summer will leave them without food. Beaver's dam is not finished, and Turtle is not ready to sleep. But Rabbit does not listen. He rushes home, grabs his drum and begins singing his winter song, the song that brings snow. Though the snow lasts only a day, the consequences of Rabbit's selfishness are long-lasting. This retelling of a traditional Iroquois tale by father-son duo James and Joseph Bruchac begs to be read aloud and shared at story time. Repeated sentences and sounds invite young listeners to chime in and bring the impatient Rabbit to life. Unusual animals, such as lynx and grouse give teachers an opportunity to discuss different habitats and the story's woodland inhabitants. Jeff Newman's energetic illustrations capture the feeling of animated cartoons of the 1970s and will inspire reenactments of Rabbit's racing, dancing, sleeping, and falling. A fun addition to any personal or library collection, this dramatic tale will capture the imagination of readers of all ages and gently teach lessons about seasons, thoughtfulness, and the importance of being patient." - Children's Literature

"A long-tailed rabbit who wants a nibble of the highest, tastiest leaves uses his special snow song in the summertime, despite the protests of the other animals. The Bruchacs' Iroquois pourquoi tale tells how selfish Rabbit, who is short on patience, simply cannot wait for natural snow, no matter that the other forest denizens are not yet ready for winter. Drum in hand, he sings as he dances in a circle: "I will make it snow, AZIKANAPO!" (It won't take much coaching before listeners join in with this and other infectious refrains.) Like the Energizer Bunny, Rabbit just keeps going; by the time he ceases his drumming, only the top of the tallest tree is left sticking above the snow. Exhausted, Rabbit curls up on this branch and sleeps through the night and the hot sunshine of the next day, which melts all the snow. Stepping from his treetop, Rabbit gets a terrible surprise when he falls to the ground, his long bushy tail catching on each branch he passes and making the first pussy willows. And that is why rabbits now have short tails. Newman's watercolor, gouache and ink illustrations are an interesting mix of styles. Some foregrounds appear to be painted in a pointillist manner, and some of the animals are almost manga-esque, lacking any shading in their sharp outlines and flat colors. Kids who are looking forward to a snow day may give Rabbit's chant a try, but hopefully, they will know when to stop." - Kirkus Reviews 

Connections:
Customers who purchased this title as purchased the following books: Turtle's Race with Beaver, Bear has a Story to Tell, and Between Earth and Sky.

Interactivity:

• Ask children if they have ever heard of a rain or snow dance and then educate them on the cultural significance as well as the factual information pertaining to these Native American ceremonial dances.
• Share the significance of lessons told at the conclusion of fables and their importance.

the absolutely true story of a part-time indian written by sherman alexie and art by ellen forney

Alexie, Sherman. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Art by Ellen Forney. New York: Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 2009. ISBN: 9780316013697

Plot Summary:
     Arnold "Junior" Spirit is a Native American teenager who resides on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Through his observations of the lack of educational emphasis among his reservation, he decides to transfer to a high school outside of his reservation. Junior tells his story of his journey as the outcast of his new school and as an outcast for leaving the reservation to attend a new school. Through his journey, he loses his best-friend on the reservation for being a traitor and he also endures many accomplishments at his new school.

Critical Analysis:
     The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is the story of a Native American teenager who endures the everyday struggles of a typical highschooler; however, this story incorporates some of the struggles that a Native American teenager may endure. The author, Sherman Alexie, incorporates a great deal of Native American culture within this novel such as details of reservation living to some to details of annual Native American celebrations. For instance, Sherman details how "the Spoke Tribe holds their annual powwow celebration over the Labor Day weekend," and how "there would be singing, war dancing, gambling, storytelling, laughter, fry bread, hamburgers, hot dogs, arts and crafts, and plenty of alcoholic brawling." This description is culturally accurate to Native American practices, as well as depicting some of the foods included among their culture. Another culturally authentic inclusion presented is when the author details how Junior is called an "Apple" by the kids from his reservation for leaving the reservation school to attend a white highschool. The author describes the insult as an Apple because Junior is seen as red on the outside and white on the inside. This insult coincides with the well known insult of an African-American person being called an oreo.
     Throughout this whole novel, Sherman Alexie incorporates a whole culture within his writing, especially with the inclusion of language relative to Native Americans such as rez (slang term for reservation), powwow, and the stereotypical names that Native Americans endure such as Chief, Tonto, and Squaw Boy. This story is the story of your everyday teenager, but through the eyes and life of a Native American teenager. Alexie does a great job incorporating accurate cultural depictions so well that his audience can understand and learn a vast amount of understanding for Native American culture as well as how inaccurate some stereotypes are portrayed.

Review Excerpts:

"Nimbly blends sharp with unapologetic emotion....fluid narration deftly mingles raw feelings with funny, sardonic insight." - Kirkus Reviews

"Screenwriter, novelist and poet, Alexie bounds into YA with what might be a Native American equivalent of Angela's Ashes,a coming-of-age story so well observed that its very rootedness in one specific culture is also what lends it universality, and so emotionally honest that the humor almost always proves painful. Presented as the diary of hydrocephalic 14-year-old cartoonist and Spokane Indian Arnold Spirit Jr., the novel revolves around Junior's desperate hope of escaping the reservation. As he says of his drawings, "I think the world is a series of broken dams and floods, and my cartoons are tiny little lifeboats." He transfers to a public school 22 miles away in a rich farm town where the only other Indian is the team mascot. Although his parents support his decision, everyone else on the rez sees him as a traitor, an apple ("red on the outside and white on the inside"), while at school most teachers and students project stereotypes onto him: "I was half Indian in one place and half white in the other." Readers begin to understand Junior's determination as, over the course of the school year, alcoholism and self-destructive behaviors lead to the deaths of close relatives. Unlike protagonists in many YA novels who reclaim or retain ethnic ties in order to find their true selves, Junior must separate from his tribe in order to preserve his identity. Jazzy syntax and Forney's witty cartoons examining Indian versus White attire and behavior transmute despair into dark humor; Alexie's no-holds-barred jokes have the effect of throwing the seriousness of his themes into high relief." - Publishers Weekly

"This book would really appeal to high school and junior high boys for casual and interesting reading. People who are interested in reservation life would find that this book gives a wonderful insight to Native American culture. Alexie makes a good storyteller. The pictures in the book give great detail to the story and writing. Within the story, there are two worlds that a boy must distinguish between and live in." - VOYA

Connections:
Customers who purchased this title also bought the following titles: Rain is Not My Indian Name, Indian Shoes, and Skysisters.

Interactivity:

• Ask audience if they ever recall a time where they had to leave or made the choice to leave somewhere they grew up to go somewhere new and how people treated them from their old residence in comparison to their new residence. 
• Contemplate how the life of a Native American teenager may differ from a teenager from another culture. Would it be different? Should it be different? Should they be treated any differently because they come from a different culture?
• Ask audience to find words or phrases that are significant to the Native American culture.

when turtle grew feathers written by tim tingle and illustrated by stacey schuett

Tingle, Tim. When Turtle Grew Feathers, Illustrated by Stacey Schuett. Atlanta: August House LittleFolk, 2007. ISBN: 978087487773

Plot Summary:
     Turtle has no reservation telling the story of the day Turtle beat Rabbit in a foot race. The story begins as Turtle takes his daily walk when he's stepped on by Turkey who accidentally cracks his shell. With the help of the ants, they manage to mend his shell. Through this encounter Turtle and Turkey become friends -- such good friends that Turtle allows Turkey to try on his shell. While Turkey is trying on Turtle's shell, Rabbit comes along challenging Turtle to a foot race. Unaware of Turkey's disguise, Rabbit is in for a rude awakening.

Critical Analysis:
     When Turtle Grew Feathers is a variant of the popular Aesop fable The Tortoise and the Hare; however, this particular version derives from the Choctaw Nation. The author, Tim Tingle, tells this tale through the incorporation of Choctaw culture gained through oral interviews as well as knowledge acquired through his personal membership of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Within the beginning of the story, Tim includes an introduction on how this Choctaw version varies from The Tortoise and the Hare as he describes, "that the reason Rabbit couldn't outrun Turtle was that he wasn't racing a turtle at all. He only thought he was." By incorporating this brief introduction, the author successfully shows the continuity of Native societies by connecting the Choctaw Nation's traditional tales to the present. The author also subtly incorporates the common Choctaw phrase "Chata hapita hoke." This phrase is used at the conclusion of his story meaning "We are proud to be Choctaw," denoting the pride of this particular Native American Nation.
     In collaboration with author Tim Tingle, Stacey Schuett provides illustrations for this story. Stacey uses bold reds, greens, and browns to visually depict the story of Turtle and Rabbit. She accurately illustrates the storyline by following the narrative from literally depicting Turkey not seeing Turtle laying in the grass to various facial expressions that the animals convey. Her attention to detail in her brush strokes from the usage of watercolors and acrylics allow her audience to visualize the context of this story. The collaboration between the author and illustrator convey this Choctaw Nation folktale in an enjoyable manner.

Review Excerpts:

"This Choctaw version of Aesop's fable, The Tortoise and the Hare, is retold with equal wisdom but more humor. It points out the common tendency to blame others for offenses we commit, but also models reconciliation and generosity, showing that cooperation solves problems. Without preachiness, readers are reminded that learning is the point of experience, but in this case the lesson is not only that the weak may prevail but also that it helps to have powerful friends. The storyteller's heartening conversational voice brings the vocabulary down to earth, substituting turtle and rabbit for tortoise and hare. Author and illustrator play with size images to increase the contrast between big and small, fast and slow. The illustrations so enlarge the animals that we perceive the landscape from the turtle's perspective—very near to the ground. Action scenes explode with color and movement, some of them bursting the bounds of their tame, tessellated frames, contrasting the turtle's slow, low lifestyle with the explosive events around him. The majesty of wings astounds both the ground-bound animals, rabbit and turtle, and the reader, and fills a double spread with their mythic power. The big astounded eyes of the surprised rabbit are compared to "Little Bitty Turtle shells," and thus embarrass him more. Irony adds humor when the defeated rabbit hops away like a bunny, but making "hip-hoppity, hip-hoppity" sound like a poor and somehow very slow exit line." - Children's Literature

"Variations of the race between the tortoise and the hare crop up regularly, but this version, retold as a trickster tale, stands out for its humor and expressive illustrations. Here, the rabbit only thinks he raced a turtle. In fact, it was a flying turkey wearing Turtle's shell. Also a porquoi tale, the story begins when Turkey steps on Turtle's back, breaking his shell into pieces. Turkey recruits an army of ants to mend it with cornsilk, and the shell transforms from a swirl into its familiar geometric pattern. In appreciation, Turtle allows Turkey to try it on just as Rabbit appears, itching for a race. The rest is history, though few have heard the historic event retold quite like this. The prose alternates between rhyming and nonrhyming text and for the most part it bounces along without stumbling. A few lines feel manipulated to create the rhyme, such as "'What is it?' asked Turtle, his eyes opened wide./'Here comes Rabbit,' said the Little Bitty Five./'Rabbit wants to race, and he won't be denied.'" Bright cartoon illustrations capture the tale's humor and energy. Turkey explodes off the page as he emerges from Turtle's shell, ready to run. The animals' various emotions are well rendered, including Turtle's chagrin, Rabbit's aggression and later humiliation, and the budding friendship between Turtle and Turkey. Use this book as a variation to a common folktale, an introduction to Native American lore, or as a fine read-aloud all on its own." - School Library Journal

"In this amusing variation on the traditional tortoise and the hare tale, Turkey tries on Turtle's shell after accidentally cracking and then repairing it. Then, " 'Here comes Rabbit,' said the Little Bitty Five. / Rabbit wants to race, and he won't be denied.' " Turkey, hidden in Turtle's shell, accepts the challenge of the bullying Rabbit, who is mean-looking and larger-than-life. The look on Rabbit's face when Turkey pushes out his long neck, then his long skinny legs, and finally his wings, is not to be missed. Turkey circles the lake before Rabbit even gets started, and puts Rabbit to shame. The story concludes, "Rabbit never challenged Turtle again. That's why you never see them racing today." The bold and colorful illustrations are a good match for this lively telling that, with Rabbit's breezy rap-like dialogue, is a joy to read aloud. Based on a traditional Choctaw story, this telling wins the race. Includes notes on sources." - Kirkus Reviews

Connections:
Customers who bought this title also purchased How Jackrabbit Got His Very Long Ears, Little Rooster's Diamond Button, and Jabuti the Tortoise.

Interactivity:

• Read The Tortoise and the Hare prior to reading this version and have children compare and contrast between the two.
• Ask children which story they enjoyed better and why.