Serpents Tongue 6-Copy Bulk

Wood's well-rounded portrait of the Pueblo people is illuminated through first-person reminiscences, voices from other cultures and historical accounts. Striking just the right complement for the text, the five-color artwork is taken from sources as varied as rare photogravures by Edward S. Curtis and bold, colorful artwork created by contemporary Tewa children. This diverse source material covers over 500 years of Pueblo history, offering an opportunity to view the culture at different periods and from many different perspectives. Readers can meander through the contents, which range from beliefs about creation to ceremonies and courtship practices; individual passages can as easily be enjoyed out of context as in page order. The book's luxurious design aids admirably in guiding readers through the copious text; attention-grabbing artwork and shorter items set off in shaded boxes serve as ""breathing spaces."" Notable non-Indian contributors include D.H. Lawrence, Willa Cather, Tony Hillerman and Wood herself, whose involvement with the Pueblo people dates back to 1961. An editor's note, notes on the contributors, a selected bibliography, an index and literary and art sources are also included. Many families will find this gorgeous volume an inspiring addition to their shelves. Ages 12-up. (Oct.)