Through carefully chosen stories from the olden days and art that meticulously reflects traditional designs and colors, Goble provides wonderful insights into the spiritual life of the Plains Indians. His intimate knowledge of their world transports the reader into a vision of the sacred beauty and wisdom that defined traditional Native America. Grade 4 Up–The pages of this book are chock-full of quotations, songs, and brief stories that exemplify Native American attitudes toward nature. No segment is longer than half a page; most are a few sentences. Black Elk, Standing Bear, Brave Buffalo, and others observe the importance of various animals and the sacred qualities of all living things. All 120 sections are documented. The spaces between text blocks are filled with Goble's familiar illustrations based on traditional Native American designs and colors. Few readers will wade through the entire book. Even browsing is difficult. Perhaps this dense volume could serve as a reference source for teachers planning units on Native American culture. Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve's Enduring Wisdom (Holiday House, 2003) includes fewer sayings but is less overwhelming visually and verbally. –Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. All Our Relatives: Traditional Native American Thoughts about Nature received an Honorable Mention for the 2005 Midwest Independent Publishers Association Award in the Nature category. All Our Relatives Traditional Native American Thoughts about Nature is nominated for The James Madison Book Award 2005. This award will be given to the book which represents excellence in bringing knowledge of American history to children. World renowned author and illustrator, Paul Goble is the author of more than 30 children’s books. His previous work has won the prestigious Caldecott Award. He lives with his wife in Rapid City, SD. Chapter 1: HORSES WERE HELD IN THE HIGHEST ESTEEM. Brave Buffalo, Lakota, said: Of all the animals the horse is the Indian s best friend, for without it he could not go on long journeys. A horse is the Indian s most valuable possession. Horses were not merely practical possessions, but gifts from the Sky World, having starlight in their eyes and thunder in their hooves, lightning in their legs, and manes and tails, swirling clouds. Plenty Coups, Absaroke: To be alone with my war horse teaches him to understand me and I to understand him. If he is to carry me in battle he must know my heart and I must know his or we shall never become brothers. I have been told that the white man does not believe that the horse has a soul. This cannot be true. I have many times seen my horse s soul in his eyes. When Siyaka, Lakota, was in danger he stood in front of his horse, and holding its head, said: We are in danger. Obey me promptly that we may conquer. If you have to run for your life and mine, do your best, and if we reach home I will give you the best eagle feather I can get and a strip of the finest red cloth, and you shall be painted with the best paint. Strips of red cloth were tied to the tail or around the neck. Horses wore these, together with eagle feathers and painted symbols, like medals for everyone to see. Used Book in Good Condition