Native Homes (Native Nations of North America)
Grade 4-6-Accessible books about topics that are studied in most  elementary schools. The information on housing, storage, village  structure, and family life is straightforward, easy to read, and  interesting, although life on the Plains seems less harsh than  existence really was. The texts are peppered with full-color  illustrations-at least one to a page-that depict Native  Americans in historical times engaged in daily activities such  as eating, storytelling, and building lodges. There are no  source notes, and the glossary has no pronunciation guide. The  illustrations are uneven. Some are reminiscent of 18th-century  romantic paintings, some are contemporary, and some are just  plain bad. For example, along with works by quality contemporary  artists Howard Terpning and James Bama there are others where  facial features are so poorly rendered that it is difficult to  distinguish one person from another. The books are generally  good, but the illustrations do them a great disservice. Michael  Bad Hand Terry's Daily Life in a Plains Indian Village 1868  (Clarion, 2001) is a better choice because it uses real-life  models to show actual clothing and articles used by Plains  Indians.Dona J. Helmer, College Gate School Library, Anchorage,  AKCopyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.