The Circle of Thanks
Gr. 1^-5. Readers hungry for more material with roots in traditional Native American songs and prayers may want to give thanks for this book. Bruchac has created 13 brief, original poems, "based in part on traditional Native American songs and prayers," that can function as chants, prayers, or songs (although no musical notation is included). Native American groups, ranging from the Mohawk of the eastern woodlands and the Kwakiutl of the Northwest Coast to the Osage of the Great Plains are represented. Jacob's illustrations are reminiscent of those he created for Gayle Ross'How Rabbit Tricked Otter(1994). Here, the text is placed in small boxed insets on double-page spreads, with the pictures revealing much of cultural significance. More about each group's culture is provided in appended notes, and sources are acknowledged.Karen Morgan