Based on research at Altamira and other southern European cave communities, the story of Tao, a 14-year-old artist. Born to a woman stolen from another tribe and a father whose identity he does not know, Tao is almost an outcast: saved from death by exposure after his mother's death, he has been raised by old Kala. A quiet rebel, Tao persists in two tabooed actions: he tames a wolf-dog (Ram) and draws whenever he gets the chance. With Ram's assistance, he becomes one of his tribe's most successful hunters; and, eventually, old Greybeard (who is responsible for the ritual painting of animals before a hunt) discovers Tao's talent, secretly teaches him, and nominates him as his successor. Although this plot is unexceptional in outline, Denzel (whose other children's books are mostly animal stories for Garrard Press) has skillfully brought it to life. The details of natural history (especially animals) that he introduces seem authentic and provide a vivid, nondidactic setting. The taming of Ram is swift but plausible as well as dramatic, and Tao's unquenchable creativity is sensitively portrayed. Though this lacks the heroic dimension and moral complexity of Sun Horse, Moon Horse, it is a well-written, action-filled story that may lead readers to Sutcliff's book.