Return of the Sun: Native American Tales from the Northeast Woodlands

More than 25 tales highlight the traditions, customs and beliefs of Native American nations from areas such as those now known as Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, the Great Lakes region and Canada. The stories are always lively and usually quite fey; animal tricksters, of course, reign, but so do solemn enchantresses garbed as deer, a lazy man (Big Duck) who learns the hard way that all must contribute to the well-being of the people, and an unusual array of animals whose misadventures lead to lifelong changes of habit (and habitat). Bruchac's gathering of these tales includes a glossary and an intricate epic poem recorded in pictographs. The illustrations provide adequate representations of the text, but it is the language of the tellings that holds the collection together. No ages given. (Aug.)