How Rabbit Tricked Otter and Other Cherokee Trickster Stories: And Other Cherokee Trickster Stories

Ross and Jacob, both of whom are of Cherokee descent, produce an unusually rich debut picture book in retelling 15 tales about Rabbit, a central figure in Cherokee storytelling. The wily creature is a consummate mischief-maker, always ready to prove himself better than his fellow animals--almost always through unfair means. The reader finds him disguised as an otter, cheating in races and constantly filling the air with his boasting. With gleeful relish he transforms Possum's tail into a ``red, skinny, hairless'' shadow of its former self; and in a stroke of revenge he blunts poor Deer's teeth. A bundle of bravado, he is always moving, talking, plotting, very much at the center of this patchwork of stories. Cunning trickster though he is, he often gets a good comeuppance. With their vivid language, these tales simply sashay right along. Unusual artwork presents textured still lifes, like tapestry wall-hangings; these convey both the history and morality of the stories and, at the same time, portray splendid detail. A handsome, informative collection. All ages. (June)