THE TELLING OF THE WORLD; NATIVE AMERICAN STORIES AND ART

Featuring never-before-published material, The Telling of the World contains legends and stories from many Native American nations collected from both traditional and contemporary sources. These inspirational tales follow the path of life--from creation and birth, through adolescnce, love and marriage, to death and the renewal of the spirit. 120 full-color illustrations.

YA. This book is a feast for the eye, mind, and soul. The 125 illustrations include drawings, paintings, and sculptures by modern Native American artists from different tribes, as well as important artifacts. An art piece does not illustrate a story, but it enhances the understanding of the story. In fact, the illustrations and the stories stand independently, yet blend imperceptibly. The 80 tales are from traditional and modern tellers of different tribes, and are arranged in life-cycle order: creation, adolescence, family, marriage, children and community, old age and elder wisdom, and death. Explanatory notes at the beginning of each cycle add immensely to the knowledge about tribal life during those years. The stories are rich, varied, and complex: lighthearted and playful; painfully searing; and full of poetry. Coyote, the trickster, is often a major character, as are Raven, Fox, and Man. Interrelationships among all forms of life are as central to these tales as in Native American traditions and beliefs; and, interrelationships within the tribal community are vital. Life-cycle events are portrayed realistically, or symbolically. Instructions for living are woven subtly into the fabric of the stories. This book is not for browsing. It belongs in established collections of Native American folklore, and is for YAs who read tales of other cultures with eagerness, openness, and respect.?Judy Sokoll, formerly at Fairfax County Public Library,
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

"Storytelling for Indians is not something that happens in the past," asserts Nez Perce/Osage editor Penn. "Its meaning and importance are present and even future." Perhaps in reflection of this philosophy, Penn (creative writing, Michigan State; All My Sins Are Relatives, LJ 10/15/95) complements these stories, most of which have been published previously, with illustrations of the work of both contemporary and past Native artists. The stories in this well-chosen collection come from throughout North America and are grouped according to segments of the life cycle, beginning with creation and ending with death. Even for libraries that already have Native folklore holdings, the imaginative pairings and contemporary paintings will be new. This book dynamically demonstrates the continuing creativity of America's Native peoples. Recommended for general collections.?Mary B. Davis, Huntington Free Lib., N.Y.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.