Earthmaker's Tales: North American Indian Stories about Earth Happenings

This companion book to the author/illustrator's Star Tales presents more examples of her lively storytelling style and her cogent organization of some of the many myths from Native American literature. Dividing the book into 16 brief sections, she has selected--from many tribes--stories that explain natural phenomena: ``Earthquake,'' ``Flood,'' ``Rainbow,'' ``Shining Waters,'' ``Fog,'' ``Volcano,'' etc. ``The Hunter and the Rainbow Woman,'' from the Hoh and Quileute traditions, offers reasons why two rainbows appear after some rains. According to the Menominee people, in ``Snowmaker Torments the People,'' a particularly harsh winter comes to an end when a man named Blue Feather defeats the bully Snowmaker. The stories are variously poignant, riveting and funny, with short introductions that offer further insights into tribal beliefs and customs. Ages 10-up. (Mar.)