How Rabbit Tricked Otter: And Other Cherokee Trickster Stories (Parabola Storytime Series)

Fifteen traditional tales follow the adventures of Rabbit, the Cherokee trickster

Kindergarten-Grade 6-Fifteen short, action-oriented tales about Rabbit, the Cherokee trickster hero. In the title story, Rabbit cheats Otter out of his beautiful fur coat, but then loses the wonderful tail that was his rightful gift from the Creator. Each subsequent story relates to those that precede it, much as they would in an informal story-telling session, yet each also stands alone as a small, humorous teaching tale. Traditional manners and morals, culture, and spirituality are lightly woven into the selections. Rabbit's exploits come to life in language that is as natural as conversation and as easy to listen to. The author, herself Cherokee, is steeped in her culture, yet has the freshness of voice and connection with her audience that make the material come alive for contemporary young readers. The detailed, primitive-style acrylic paintings by a Kentucky-Cherokee artist portray the animals, traditional clothing, and environment with accuracy as well as spontaneity. Some of the pictures appear to be out of place with the text, but otherwise the book design is quite pleasing with its bordered pages and hand-lettered titles. Several of the stories will be familiar to young readers in other forms. "Tar Wolf" is known to many through "Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby." "Rabbit Races with Turtle" begins like Aesop's "The Tortoise and the Hare" but takes an unexpected twist at the end. Although the stories are a bit repetitive, all in all this is a sweet offering that will be an enjoyable addition to any collection.
Carolyn Polese, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Ross and Jacob, both of whom are of Cherokee descent, produce an unusually rich debut picture book in retelling 15 tales about Rabbit, a central figure in Cherokee storytelling. The wily creature is a consummate mischief-maker, always ready to prove himself better than his fellow animals--almost always through unfair means. The reader finds him disguised as an otter, cheating in races and constantly filling the air with his boasting. With gleeful relish he transforms Possum's tail into a "red, skinny, hairless" shadow of its former self; and in a stroke of revenge he blunts poor Deer's teeth. A bundle of bravado, he is always moving, talking, plotting, very much at the center of this patchwork of stories. Cunning trickster though he is, he often gets a good comeuppance. With their vivid language, these tales simply sashay right along. Unusual artwork presents textured still lifes, like tapestry wall-hangings; these convey both the history and morality of the stories and, at the same time, portray splendid detail. A handsome, informative collection. All ages.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Fifteen adventures of the vain, clever mischief-maker who is a central figure in Cherokee animal stories, including several pourquoi tales, a cognate of ``Br'er Rabbit and the Tar Baby,'' and a delightful ``Rabbit Races with Turtle'' in which, for once, Rabbit is bested not by plodding determination but by guile. Each has a full-page illustration enclosed in a patterned border, in deep, intense colors on a dark ground. Both Ross and Jacob are of Cherokee descent. Excellent for telling or reading aloud, to accompany Native American studies, or to compare with rabbit tales from other traditions, this is an entry in the Parabola Storytime Series, which presents stories and myths by leading storytellers, artists, and musicians of Native American tribes, vetted by tribal elders; print versions include illustrations ``from artists authentic to the tradition''; audio versions are available from HarperAudio. (Folklore. 6+) -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Ages 5-8. Wilma Mankiller, principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, notes the importance of storytelling among Native Americans as she introduces this collection of 15 stories from the Cherokee oral tradition. The highly readable stories feature the Cherokee trickster figure Rabbit, a multidimensional character whose antics often result in trouble. Each story has five to six pages of bordered, large-type text and one full-page, color illustration. The dark-colored paintings create striking visual images for their respective tales. Although each story can stand alone, youngsters' appreciation and understanding of the tales will increase if the logical progression of the book is followed. With stories told and illustrated by individuals of Cherokee descent, this collection is an excellent source for story hours and folktale units. Karen Hutt