Four Ancestors: Stories, Songs, and Poems from Native North America

Representing more than 20 tribes, these stories, songs and poems of this collecton are in good hands. As usual, Bruchac tells the tales with opacity, allowing each story's inherent beauty and meaning to shine through. And since the illustrators are either tribal members or Native American descendants, their closeness to the subject nets a medley of styles that reflect both tradition and modern, personal perspectives. The selections are grouped around the themes of Fire, Earth, Water and Air-the ""ancestors"" of all creation. In the Fire section, for example, the selections relate to fire or to things that reflect ""the light of fire,"" such as sun, moon, stars and fireflies. The sheer breadth of this collection and Bruchac's consistently gifted storytelling merit attention and respect. Ages 7-10. (Mar.)