Eva's Book Review- July part 1

As I said last month, we focused on Native American books for the first part of this month. 

1. The Arrow to the Sun by Gerald McDermott

I think this one threw Eva off a little bit as it's sort of a mix between Pueblo Indian culture and Christianity.  It talks a lot about the father in the sky, and a virgin having a baby son and that son taking on ridicule and such.  Eva wasn't really picking up but I was throwing down, so I'll put this in the do not repeat pile but the illustrations are awesome.  Plus it's another Caldecott Medal winner and a book from my youth, so we had to at least try it. 

 2. The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses by Paul Goble

If you ask me, this is a sad book, as the little girl leaves her family to be with the horses forever.  The thought of losing Eva to a four legged creature is no bueno, but the point of the story, the letting your child run free and become who they are meant to be is touching.  Eva loves the horses in this book and talking about their different characteristics. 

3. The Woman Who Lived with Wolves by Paul Goble

Here's another Paul Goble book- interesting note on Goble, he was actually born and raised in London and moved to the Black Hills later in life, where he was adopted by Chief Edgar Red Cloud of the Lakota Tribe.  This book is a compilation of many stories from the Pawnee, Cheyenne, Blackfoot, and Lakota.  Eva likes the pictures and how the stories focus on nature, but she kind of gets bored with the stories.  The book is probably better suited for a 6+ year old but we figured it was worth a try. 

4. The Legend of Bluebonnet by Tomie dePaola

Here's another one that makes me sort of sad as a mom and I think Eva picked up on the depressing tone as well.  The story follows the Comanche tribe as they try to survive a horrible drought.  She-Who-Is-Alone is a little girl who has been orphaned after her entire family died in the drought; all she has left is her warrior doll.  The book tells how She-Who-Is-Alone offers her doll, her only possession, as a burnt offering in hopes of bringing rain.  "This wonderful tale of Comanche folklore explains the origin of the bluebonnet, the Texas state flower, while paying homage to the Comanche value and respect for family, community, and Earth. "  Very good book- makes me think that maybe I shouldn't shelter Eva from the realities of life so much...