Synopses & Reviews
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;
Review
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;
Synopsis
A Lakota boy comes of age and finds his courage in this picture book from award-winning author and illustrator S. D. Nelson When Flying Cloud's father gives him a Gift Horse, marking the beginning of his journey to manhood, Flying Cloud names the horse Storm. The two become inseparable: they spend their days riding across the prairie, hunting deer, and roughhousing with the other boys and their horses. But as Flying Cloud becomes a man, his life takes a serious turn: He must now learn the ways of his people and what it means to be a Lakota warrior. So when enemies of the Lakota steal many of the tribe's horses--including Storm--Flying Cloud must join the rescue party. Will he prove he has the courage to become a true Warrior?
The bold, full-color illustrations bring to life this exciting coming-of-age tale from award-winning creator and member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe S. D. Nelson and provide a unique look into the lives of the Lakota during the nineteenth century. Backmatter includes a brief summary of the Lakota history.
Synopsis
This is an exceptional poetry collection written by Lakota students in the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grades at Red Cloud Indian School on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The historic school was founded in 1888 at the request of Chief Red Cloud of the Oglala Lakota. The poems enable readers to learn about the unique lives and heritage of students growing up in such distinctive circumstances and straddling cultures. The collection was compiled by a teacher at the school, working with school administrators, and contains never-before-published artworks by award-winning artist S. D. Nelson.
Praise for Walking on Earth and Touching the Sky
STARRED REVIEW
"This is an important collection that offers opportunities for insight into a culture that has too often been either ignored or misunderstood."
--Booklist, starred review
"A moving, fascinating glimpse across cultures. Vivid, polychromatic illustrations by Nelson accompany the studentsand#8217; evocative works." --Kirkus Reviews
"As a collection, the poems present an interesting, eye-opening look at the Lakota culture, which is one that is often overlooked. The paintings by S.D. Nelson are gorgeous and vibrant."
--Library Media Connection
Awards:
New York Public Libraryand#8217;s Children's Books 2012: 100 Books for Reading and Sharing list
HONORABLE MENTION - 2012 Aesop Accolade, American Folklore Society
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 2013
Synopsis
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.
Synopsis
Told from the Native American point of view,
Black Elkand#8217;s Vision provides a unique perspective on American history. and#160; 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 Billand#8217;s Wild West Show, this biographical account of Black Elkand#8212;an Oglala-Lakota medicine man (1863and#8211;1950)and#8212;follows him from childhood through adulthood. and#160; S. D. Nelson tells the story of Black Elk through the medicine manand#8217;s voice, bringing to life what it was like to be Native American in the mid-to-late nineteenth century and early twentieth century. The Native people found their land overrun by the Wha-shi-choos, or White Man, the buffalo slaughtered for sport and to purposely eliminate their main food source, and their people gathered onto reservations. Through it all, Black Elk clung to his childhood visions that planted the seeds to help his peopleand#8212;and all peopleand#8212;understand their place in the circle of life. and#160; The book includes archival images, a timeline, a bibliography, an index, and Nelsonand#8217;s signature art.
and#160; Praise for the work of S. D. Nelson
and#160;
Western Writers of America Spur Storyteller Award
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award
and#160;
[STAR] and#8220;An appealing story full of excitement, warmth, and wisdom.and#8221; and#8212;The Five Owls, starred review
and#160;
and#8220;A fine choice for story hours, this will also find wide curricular use.and#8221; and#8212;Booklist
and#160;
and#8220;A modern-day story in the Sioux tradition of storytelling.and#8221; and#8212;Winston-Salem Journal
and#160;
and#8220;Splendid acrylic artwork captures the action, humor, and spirit of the tale. A solid addition to collections of Native American tales and an enjoyable read-aloud.and#8221; and#8212;School Library Journal
and#160;
and#8220;Nelson pulls it off with his confident style as a storyteller . . . polished illustrations . . . informative, well written.and#8221; and#8212;Kirkus Reviews
FandP level: U
FandPand#160;genre:and#160;B
About the Author
S. D. Nelson is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribeand#160;of the Dakotas. He is the author of three previous childrenand#8217;s books for Abrams. School Library Journal called Gift Horse and#147;fluid in both narrative and illustrations,and#8221; and Kirkus said Star People was and#147;an exemplary offering.and#8221; He lives in Flagstaff, Arizona.