TURTLE ISLAND

An engaging collection of 27 authentic tales gathered from the various Algonquian nations, many of which no longer exist. Each of the brief legends includes a notation citing its origin, as well as an accompanying black-and-white illustration. Organized in a rough sequential order, the tales explain how the world came into being, recount acts of bravery, and reveal why animals behave the way that they do. The Objibway tale, “The Great Flood,” shows how the world was nearly destroyed by a great flood, caused by the spirits of the underworld. The companion story from the LenapÇ, “Turtle Island,” recounts how the Earth was reclaimed after the torrential floods: all of the animals gathered on an immense turtle’s back, which spread the new dirt that formed Earth. “Rainbow Crow,” also from the LenapÇ, shows how not even the great creator could stop snow from falling, that the Snow Spirit has to follow the Wind Spirit to the east, and that the crow became black from the selfless act of carrying fire to earth. Beautifully conceived and executed, this collection renews the old stories, giving them immediacy for contemporary readers. (Folklore. 9-12)