Brad Wagnon

With the desire to not let tales, which have passed from generation to generation, become lost in modern times, this book dives into a often-told, Cherokee story. It follows the tale of an island, which was supposed to be cared for by the people, but the children decided to play instead of fulfilling their responsibilities. While there is an important lesson...and one that still rings true today...this books packs much more than that.

The illustrations are simple but do depict the story nicely and allow listeners to visualize the scenes. The cultural aspects of the Cherokees are clear on every page and mix with the adventure seamlessly. The respect for nature and the beliefs of the Cherokees are delivered with clarity, and allow listeners to discover and learn more about the culture and the people. All of this is presented in a way, which grabs and even entertains.

The text is great for a read-aloud...better actually than as a 'read-alone'. But considering the idea behind this book—to preserve a tale, which has been told for generations—that isn't surprising. It especially works well for those wanting to learn more about the Cherokees and in classroom/homeschooling situations.
I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed discovering more about this culture.… (mais)

Folklore comes to life in this lovely picture book, where even the smallest can make a difference.

This book is based on a tale from the Cherokee culture, which for me already is an interest grabber. And this one is well done, too. The story is written in a very natural style with only a few lines of text on each page. Young listeners will have no trouble connecting with the story and understand the animals's troubles. I love the way it keeps the folklore alive without hitting upon heavy language or dragging story-telling. It simply makes a lovely read-aloud, and allows the tale to come to life.

The illustrations show the animals in a way listeners will easily recgonize, while still giving them a touch of 'human' personality. The mannerisms are subtle but still hold a few quirks that are sure to bring a smile or two. Young listeners will be able to flip through the tale on their own, too, and enjoy the animals' adventures after the tale has been read.

It's a great way to introduce Cherokee folklore and open the door to discussions. In other words, this one gets a nice thumbs up from me!… (mais)