Bear: Animal Lore and Legend : American Indian Legends (Animal Lore & Legend) - Softcover

Grade 1-3?An admirable attempt falls victim to an overzealous leap onto the multicultural bandwagon in this Native American folklore series. Each book presents three illustrated folktales featuring the animal of the title, separated by a few facts and full-color photos about the creatures and concluding with a one-page glossary covering a little bit about terms and tribes. Acknowledging tribal sources is commendable, but the abbreviated format doesn't allow for much on culture or decorative elements. A variety of borders crowd the well-rendered watercolors that illustrate the folktales; the pages seem almost too small for all that is on them. The colors appear muddy, and the smiling animals with lovely long eyelashes are a bit precious, though the overall effect has some charm. The legends read aloud well, but, overall, the books seem to be trying to do too much.?Jody McCoy, Casady School, Oklahoma City
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