Did You Hear Wind Sing Your Name?: An Oneida Song of Spring

Kindergarten-Grade 4?Orie's celebration of Spring is full of imagery reflecting Oneida traditions. Structured as a series of questions, the song/poem explores the sensations, emotions, and spiritual experiences connected with the season: a hawk circling in the sky; the Three Sisters (corn, beans, and squash) sending out their green shoots; the first wild strawberries. The arrangement of the text?one question per double spread?emphasizes the contemplative quality of the verse. Each one evokes an image and invites reflection. An author's note explains the significance of the various symbols depicted. Canyon's lush, vibrant, double-page paintings spill out of their frames and are rich in detail, revealing dewdrops on a snail's shell; imperfections in a green leaf; and scattered spider webs that herald the final depiction of a complete web. The simple, graceful, italic typeface serves to unite text and illustrations. While the pictures are large and clear enough to be seen by a group, the calm exuberance of the poem lends itself best to one-on-one sharing. The book is an especially appropriate supplement for school units on Natvie American culture.?Donna Scanlon, Lancaster County Library, PA
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