The Seminole (Native Americans)

Grade 2-5-After a brief description and a map of the groups' homelands, with mention of historical circumstances that forced their relocation, these books focus primarily on culture. Short chapters describe the society, homes, food, clothing, crafts, family, children, myths, war, and contact with Europeans. The life of a notable historical figure, Sequoyah for the Cherokee, Osceola for the Seminole, and Sitting Bull for the Sioux, is discussed, and the lifestyle of the people in contemporary America is described. In fact, as the format is unvarying, much of the content is similar as well. The main differences among the books are in the illustrations. For example, among the crafts discussed in both Cherokee and Seminole are making dugout canoes and basket weaving. In Cherokee there is a photograph of women weaving baskets; in Seminole, a drawing of the canoe-making process highlights the discussion. The texts are written in short, simple declarative sentences, making the information accessible to the targeted audience. Boldface type indicates a word that is contained in the glossary, although in some cases the narrative is more successful in conveying the meaning than in others. The glossary definition of breechcloth in Sioux says that it is "a simple garment worn by men to cover their loins" while in Cherokee readers learn exactly what it is. The books have a few supposedly "child-friendly" Web sites listed, although they are in no way geared to the audience for these books. Despite the flaws, these titles do offer younger children a positive view of American Indian cultures.
Linda Greengrass, Bank Street College Library, New York City
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