The First Strawberries A Cherokee Story
Retold by Joseph Bruchac
Bibliography
Bruchac, J. (1998). The First Strawberries: A Cherokee Story. Ill. by Anna Vojtech. New York, N.Y : Penguin Group. ISBN 0-14-056409-8
Plot Summary
This retelling of a Cherokee legend is about an argument between the first man and woman that result in the woman leaving. The man follows the woman but she is too fast and he is not able to catch up with her. The sun, seeing the man’s sadness, tries to help stop the woman by shining his bright light on the lush fields causing a variety of berries to grow. The woman in her anger does not see the berries until she almost walks upon a patch of strawberries. She stops and tastes the strawberries and realizes she misses her husband and wants to share the fruit with him. Today, the Cherokee use the strawberry as a reminder to be kind to others.
Critical Analysis
Bruchac based this story on a legend told to him many years ago by a Cherokee friend. The legend is one about showing respect and kindness to others and especially the love between husband and wife. Also, to value the gifts we receive from the earth.
Review Excerpts:
Kirkus Reviews A gentle story of the Sun's healing of marital discord by a gift of ripe strawberries that magically grow at the feet of an angry woman as she flees her husband's harsh words, thus halting her departure long enough for him to catch up and make amends. Thereafter, the story concludes, whenever the Cherokee eat strawberries, they are reminded to be kind to one another. Quietly luminous watercolors capture details of dress, dwelling, implements, flora, and fauna against an open landscape of rolling hills. Small touches dramatize the story's moods: a bouquet of brown-eyed Susans flung to the ground in anger; an empty nest in a pine tree as the woman disappears behind the western hills; the glimmer of a single firefly as man and wife are reconciled. Complete harmony of text and pictures: altogether lovely.
Horn Book
“The brief, readable story, accompanied by strong and spare illustrations, carries a valuable message about friendship and respect.”Publisher Weekly
Connections: Other picture books by Joseph Bruchac
A Boy Called Slow ISBN 069811616X
Between Earth and Sky ISBN 0152020624
Buffalo Song ISBN 1584302801
Crazy Horse's Vision ISBN 1591129117
The Earth Under Sky Bear’s Feet ISBN 069811647X
The Great Ball Game ISBN 0803715404
How Chipmunk Got His Stripes ISBN 0142500216
Many Nations: An Alphabet of Native America ISBN 043963590X
Raccoon's Last Race ISBN 0803729774
Squanto's Journey ISBN 0152060448
13 Moons on Turtle’s Back ISBN 0698115848
Turtle's Race with Beaver ISBN 0142404667 Joseph Bruchac’s website: http://www.josephbruchac
No comments:
Post a Comment