1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Goble, Paul. 1998. THE LEGEND OF THE WHITE BUFFALO WOMAN. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society. ISBN 0792270746
2. PLOT SUMMARY
One of the most important Lakota legends tells how the Lakota people came to receive the first pipe from the White Buffalo Woman. After a brief history of the Lakota people, starting with their flood myth and proceeding through the rebirth of the nation and sad times of being forced from their land by their enemies, the people meet a beautiful, mysterious woman who visits the tribe, presents them with a pipe sent from Wakan Tanka, the Great Spirit, and declares that “from today, your people and my Buffalo Nation will be one family.” This pipe allows the people to pray to the Great Spirit, giving them great hope. Following the gift of the pipe from the Great Spirit, the Buffalo People later gifted the red stone so that everyone could make pipes.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The book jacket states that The Legend of the White Buffalo Woman is told “in stirring prose” and with some of Paul Goble’s “most breathtaking images.” I couldn’t agree more. The main story is that of how the Sacred Calf Pipe came to be given to the Lakotas of the Great Plains. But it is framed by the myths of the flood, the rebirth of the nation by the marriage of a Woman of the Earth and the Eagle of the Sky, and the war which caused the people great sadness and pain. The legend of the pipe is then followed by the legend of the buffalo path where the red stone was discovered that can now be used to create additional pipes. The combination of legends tells a rich, full story of the beliefs of the history of the Plains Indians. Bold print headings help the reader navigate smoothly from legend to legend.
Primary and Secondary references are included, along with an author’s note explaining the background of the pipe and the legend surrounding it, an illustration of a pipe that was given to the author from a pipe-maker in South Dakota with the symbolism of some of the parts explained, and some background on Pipestone Quarry in southwestern Minnesota, the place of the red rock which is now a national monument.
The images are breathtaking. (I was unable to determine specifics about the paintings). The colors are earthy and saturated. The clothing is authentically rendered in the style of the 1870s. In a forward written for All Our Relatives by Dr. Joe Medicine Crow, Crow Tribal Historian and the oldest living man of the Crow tribe, he writes about Paul Goble: “His art is tremendous because he is able to recreate the traditional forms with great accuracy and detail…He is able to recreate the spirit of the old stories with his illustrations and his words."
The rays of the sun are a must-see, and the battle scene with blood splatters and heads rolling will capture the attention of many young readers. The white buffalo calf joining the Buffalo Nation after presenting the pipe to the Lakotas, however, steals the show.
This book is an item that would be an asset to any collection of native American literature and art.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
*Kirkus: “Drawn just above ground level and clad in spectacular ceremonial costume, Goble’s stylized figures seem appropriately larger than life, and the Lakota prayers and comments he quotes further enhance the reverent tone.”
* Booklist: “In this picture book for older readers, Goble uses his characteristic decorative paintings to help retell an important sacred legend of the Lakota people."
* School Library Journal: “The Caldecott Medal-winning author tells the inspiring story of the first peace pipe, presented to the Lakota people to connect them to the Great Spirit, who will guide them through the hardships of life. One of Goble’s most stunning offerings to date."
5. CONNECTIONS
*Compare Goble’s illustrations with those of other picture book illustrators of Native American culture, in particular Byrd Baylor (I’m in Charge of Celebrations is my favorite.) How do the colors compare? How are the styles of the illustrations similar and different?
*Now compare the stories and how they’re told. Which do you prefer - the first person
point of view that is often used by Baylor, or the third person narrator point of view?
*Compare Goble’s art to other artists of the Southwest and Native America, for example Amado Pena or G. E. Mullan.
*Create your own art for a traditional Native American legend.
Goble, Paul. 1998. THE LEGEND OF THE WHITE BUFFALO WOMAN. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society. ISBN 0792270746
2. PLOT SUMMARY
One of the most important Lakota legends tells how the Lakota people came to receive the first pipe from the White Buffalo Woman. After a brief history of the Lakota people, starting with their flood myth and proceeding through the rebirth of the nation and sad times of being forced from their land by their enemies, the people meet a beautiful, mysterious woman who visits the tribe, presents them with a pipe sent from Wakan Tanka, the Great Spirit, and declares that “from today, your people and my Buffalo Nation will be one family.” This pipe allows the people to pray to the Great Spirit, giving them great hope. Following the gift of the pipe from the Great Spirit, the Buffalo People later gifted the red stone so that everyone could make pipes.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The book jacket states that The Legend of the White Buffalo Woman is told “in stirring prose” and with some of Paul Goble’s “most breathtaking images.” I couldn’t agree more. The main story is that of how the Sacred Calf Pipe came to be given to the Lakotas of the Great Plains. But it is framed by the myths of the flood, the rebirth of the nation by the marriage of a Woman of the Earth and the Eagle of the Sky, and the war which caused the people great sadness and pain. The legend of the pipe is then followed by the legend of the buffalo path where the red stone was discovered that can now be used to create additional pipes. The combination of legends tells a rich, full story of the beliefs of the history of the Plains Indians. Bold print headings help the reader navigate smoothly from legend to legend.
Primary and Secondary references are included, along with an author’s note explaining the background of the pipe and the legend surrounding it, an illustration of a pipe that was given to the author from a pipe-maker in South Dakota with the symbolism of some of the parts explained, and some background on Pipestone Quarry in southwestern Minnesota, the place of the red rock which is now a national monument.
The images are breathtaking. (I was unable to determine specifics about the paintings). The colors are earthy and saturated. The clothing is authentically rendered in the style of the 1870s. In a forward written for All Our Relatives by Dr. Joe Medicine Crow, Crow Tribal Historian and the oldest living man of the Crow tribe, he writes about Paul Goble: “His art is tremendous because he is able to recreate the traditional forms with great accuracy and detail…He is able to recreate the spirit of the old stories with his illustrations and his words."
The rays of the sun are a must-see, and the battle scene with blood splatters and heads rolling will capture the attention of many young readers. The white buffalo calf joining the Buffalo Nation after presenting the pipe to the Lakotas, however, steals the show.
This book is an item that would be an asset to any collection of native American literature and art.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
*Kirkus: “Drawn just above ground level and clad in spectacular ceremonial costume, Goble’s stylized figures seem appropriately larger than life, and the Lakota prayers and comments he quotes further enhance the reverent tone.”
* Booklist: “In this picture book for older readers, Goble uses his characteristic decorative paintings to help retell an important sacred legend of the Lakota people."
* School Library Journal: “The Caldecott Medal-winning author tells the inspiring story of the first peace pipe, presented to the Lakota people to connect them to the Great Spirit, who will guide them through the hardships of life. One of Goble’s most stunning offerings to date."
5. CONNECTIONS
*Compare Goble’s illustrations with those of other picture book illustrators of Native American culture, in particular Byrd Baylor (I’m in Charge of Celebrations is my favorite.) How do the colors compare? How are the styles of the illustrations similar and different?
*Now compare the stories and how they’re told. Which do you prefer - the first person
point of view that is often used by Baylor, or the third person narrator point of view?
*Compare Goble’s art to other artists of the Southwest and Native America, for example Amado Pena or G. E. Mullan.
*Create your own art for a traditional Native American legend.
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