Buffalo Bird Girl A Hidatsa Story

This fascinating picture book biography tells the childhood story of Buffalo Bird Woman, a Hidatsa Indian born around 1839. Through her true story, readers will learn what it was like to be part of this Native American community that lived along the Missouri River in the Dakotas, a society that depended more on agriculture for food and survival than on hunting. Children will relate to Buffalo Bird Girland#8217;s routine of chores and playing with friends, and they will also be captivated by her lifestyle and the dangers that came with it.

Using as a resource the works of Gilbert L. Wilson, who met Buffalo Bird Woman and transcribed her lifeand#8217;s story in the early 20th century, award-winning author-illustrator S. D. Nelson has captured the spirit of Buffalo Bird Girl and her lost way of life. The book includes a historical timeline.

Praise for Buffalo Bird Girl

STARRED REVIEWS

"The extraordinary illustration of this handsome volume begins with the endpaper maps and features acrylic paintings of the Hidatsa world reminiscent of traditional Plains Indian art. Pencil drawings and relevant, carefully labeled photographs round out the exquisite design. All the artwork both supports and adds to the text. An extensive authorand#8217;s note and timeline supplement this beautiful tribute."

and#151;Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"This is a lovely and graceful introduction to a way of life that persists despite cultural obstacles and the march of time."

and#151;School Library Journal, starred review

"Nelson's quiet, respectful tone capably balances the factual details of daily life in the Hidatsa tribe with the obvious joy and nostalgia Buffalo Bird Girl feels toward her childhood."

and#151;The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"As a writer, storyteller, and traditional artist of the Sioux people, his perspective is genuine and effectively portrayed. This book would be enjoyable for anyone interested in history, but would also be an effective resource in the classroom to support the curriculum.and#8221;

and#151;Library Media Connection

"Nelson's acrylic paintings and bandw pencil drawings are intriguingly interlaced with the photographs, contrasting Native American figures in blunt profile with harvest colors and background textures that mimic dried spears of grass, leather skins, and basket weaves."

and#151;Publishers Weekly

Award

Cooperative Childrenand#8217;s Book Center (CCBC) Choices 2013 list - Biography and Autobiography

Gelett Burgess Award - Arts and Letters category

and#160;

andquot;Nelson...will leave readers with a rich picture of this noble figureand#39;s personal and cultural context. Solidly historical and far more heartfelt than those on the overcrowded shelf of assignment-fodder profiles.andquot;

A stunning picture book biography of a 19th century Hidatsa woman, from award-winning author and illustrator S. D. Nelson

Buffalo Bird Girl (ca. 1839-1932) was a member of the Hidatsa, a Native American community that lived in permanent villages along the Missouri River on the Great Plains. Like other girls her age, Buffalo Bird Girl learned the ways of her people through watching and listening, and then by doing. She helped plant crops in the spring, tended the fields through the summer, and in autumn joined in the harvest. She learned to prepare animal skins, dry meat, and perform other duties.

There was also time for playing games with friends and training her dog. When her family visited the nearby trading post, there were all sorts of fascinating things to see from the white man's settlements in the East.

Award-winning author and artist S. D. Nelson (Standing Rock Sioux) captures the spirit of Buffalo Bird Girl by interweaving the actual words and stories of Buffalo Bird Woman with his artwork and archival photographs. Backmatter includes a history of the Hidatsa and a timeline.

Told from a Native American point of view, Black Elkandrsquo;s Vision provides a unique perspective on American history. From recounting the visions Black Elk had as a young boy, to his involvement in the battles of Little Big Horn and Wounded Knee, as well as his journeys to New York City and Europe with Buffalo Billandrsquo;s Wild West Show, this biographical account of Black Elkandmdash;an Oglala Lakota medicine man who lived from 1863 to 1950andmdash;follows him from childhood through adulthood.

Sitting Bull (c. 1831andndash;1890) was one of the greatest Lakota/Sioux warriors and chiefs who ever lived. From Sitting Bullandrsquo;s childhoodandmdash;killing his first buffalo at age 10andmdash;to being named war chief to leading his people against the U.S. Army, Sitting Bull: Lakota Warrior and Defender of His People brings the story of the great chief to light. Sitting Bull was instrumental in the war against the invasive wasichus (white men) and was at the forefront of the combat, including the Battles of Killdeer Mountain and the Little Bighorn. He and Crazy Horse were the last Lakota/Sioux to surrender their people to the U.S. government and resort to living on a reservation.

The book includes an extensive authorandrsquo;s note and timeline, historical photographs, a map, a bibliography, endnotes, and an index.

This fascinating picture book biography tells the childhood story of Buffalo Bird Womanandmdash;a Hidatsa Indian born around 1839. Through her true story, readers learn what it was like to be part of this Native American community, which lived along the Missouri River in the Dakotas, a society that depended on agriculture for food and survival rather than hunting. Using original artwork and archival photographs, award-winning author/illustrator S. D. Nelson has captured the spirit of Buffalo Bird Girl and her lost way of life. The book includes a bibliography and an index, as well as an authorandrsquo;s note and timeline of events.

Awards and praise for Buffalo Bird Girl

Gelett Burgess Award

CCBC Choices Book, Biography

? Kirkus starred review

? SLJ starred reviewand#160;

S. D. Nelson is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in the Dakotas. He is the award-winning author and illustrator of numerous childrenand#8217;s books, including Black Elkand#8217;s Vision, Gift Horse, Coyote Christmas, and The Star People. He lives in Flagstaff, Arizona. Visit him online at www.sdnelson.net.