Dance in a Buffalo Skull (Prairie Tales) (2007)

My first introduction to Zitkala-Sa was in a Native Literature lecture during my undergrad, and so I was looking forward to reading this book. Of course, I immediately noticed that It's a really gorgeous little hardcover, and the illustrations are lovely, especially with the saturated colours, and the play of light and shadow.
The story is simple but effective, as the suspense builds up as the mice become more and more enthralled with their dancing, and the cat slowly creeps closer and closer. I am looking forward to reading this to my little nephew the next time I visit home. ( )

"Dance in a Buffalo Skull" is an adventurous story filled with danger and surprise surrounding some field mice and a cat. The mice encounter danger while trying to live on the prairie and try to dance at night. The cat, which whom the presume is their predator, becomes their partner in crime as they dance their nights away in a buffalo skull.

I enjoyed this book because this book is based on a factual Native American tale that has been passed down from generation to generation, which would be oral tradition. Furthermore, the illustrations as well as the imagery in the book really bring the legend and characters alive.

A teacher could possibly see if she can get a Native-American Pow Wow dancer and singer to come to the class. This may seem far fetched, but when lives in a rural community, this is a big possibility. The book could be read to the children before hand. If the quests couldn't dance and sing, maybe they would be willing to share a tale with the children that, would of coarse, be appropriate. ( )

Illustrations are luminous, the story is a retelling of an old Sioux folktale, and I appreciate that the reteller did not dumb down the vocabulary but was respectful of the ability of children to understand more than than they necessarily can communicate. ( )

A great little book! My kids and I enjoyed it very much.
"Dance In A Buffalo Skull" is a Native American tale about some mice and a cat and life on the prairie. The illustrations in this book are fantastic! We loved the page with the cat's eyes peeking through the eye sockets of the buffalo skull. This is the second book in the series, but is easily read and enjoyed on its own.

This piece of traditional fantasy features an adorable cast of mice dancing a traditional Native American dance while a predator seeks to devour them all. The artwork is particularly beautiful with rich, bright colors.

I enjoyed this story as it reminded me of the Pow Wows that take place all over Oklahoma. It would be a nice addition to a Native American unit or a Multicultural Traditional Fantasy unit. It is so interesting to see the stories that have been passed down through the generations of various cultures and think of what lessons were intended through the telling.

This book would be a great read before watching a Pow Wow. Students might be interested in Native American Jingle Dancers and trying to perform Jingle Dances themselves. ( )

A lovely book, with illlustrations that seem to glow from within. The introduction places the story firmly in the Lakota tradition, and gives context. The glossary is helpful for older children, and those of us who read aloud to younger children. The authentic voices and paintings, the simple moral, the rhythm and liveliness of this prairie tale all make it a real keeper. ( )

The first thing I noticed when I got the book was how beautiful the cover is. It just makes you want to open it and discover the story within. The introduction to the book gives parents a great understanding of the history behind the story. If you are the type of parent who wants to expose your child to different cultures, this book is an easy and fun way to introduce them to the Sioux Indian Oral Tradition.

The imagery in the story as well as the beautiful artwork make this story a delight to both the eyes and the imagination. The vocabulary of the story is a bit more challenging than is found in your typical children's book, but there is a glossary to help with those words, for the older children enjoying the story.

I don't personally have children, although I've always loved reading aloud to them. I lent my copy of this book to a good friend so she could 'test' it on a real child. Her son, 4yrs old, loved the story and asked for it to be read multiple times. She said he normally doesn't do that. So not only is this book a delight for an adult to read, it is a delight for a child to listen to. ( )

A vividly drafted tale for young folk and idle teens alike to enjoy, This brief folktale parts from your typical idyllic plot with morals otherwise unstated in stories for children. I encourage any parent or adult to brighten a child's mind with this nugget of words. ( )

This is a wonderful book for both children and lovers of folklore. The story is cute and amusing, but it also offers a peak into the Native American tradition of oral folklore. Best of all, the illustrations by S.D. Nelson are beautiful. Charismatic and colorful animals scamper across the pages as if they're about to come alive. ( )

This story is the written version of an old oral folk tale with new colorful illustrations. The field mice are happily partying in an old buffalo skull on the prairie unaware of the potential danger of an approaching wild cat. The illustrations help build the suspense as the cat approaches.

I enjoyed the movement of the story, however I was a bit perplexed at the ending. The introduction mentions that oral stories were used to teach a lesson, and that lesson is to always be aware of potential danger, however the lesson at the end of the story seems to be softened for sensative readers as there seemed to be little consequence for the mice except that the cat crashed their party.

A beautifully produced picture book in the Prairie Tale series. The illustrations are lovely and successfully blend the natural and fantastic elements in this traditional Lakota story. I applaud the 21st century editors' decision to reprint the story in the words chosen by its translator in 1901, with a glossary for younger readers. It's a charming story -- with what my Children's Literature Professor Dr. David C. Davis would have said was a "Universal" just as important for children in this day and age as for Lakota children of the 19th century -- and will find a place of honour in my collection of children's picture books. ( )

This picture book winner of a Mom’s Choice Award from The Just For Mom Foundation is enchanting. The story is the second book published in the Prairie Tales Series by South Dakota State Historical Society Press and offers a whimsical look at the prairie through the retelling of a Native American folktale. The story itself was originally published by Zitkala-Ša in 1921 as one in a collection titled American Indian Stories. In this rendition the tale is paired with the delightful illustrations of S.D. Nelson.

The story is simple and fantastical. Field mice painted and in full ceremonial dress dance about a bonfire ignited inside a buffalo skull until they are dispersed by the surprise arrival of a wildcat. The story gives readers just a glimpse into this other world, but a charming one. The beautiful illustrations are rich in color and detail and very engaging. The colorfully garbed mice and the bright yellow of the cat’s eyes fascinated my four-year-old daughter. She described the story as “funny” and “exciting.”

I enjoyed the light touch that the author and illustrator of this book took in conveying the feeling of the prairie. It is first and foremost and beautiful picture book that just happens to provide a window into a unique culture. I also appreciated the author’s choice of words that might be new to a young reader or listener such as “frolic,” “nigh,” “stealthy” and “venison.” A helpful glossary at the back of the book defines these terms for the reader.

The site of the mice’s revelries, the skull of a dead animal, may distress some readers. Also, the mice dine on deer meat (venison) along with their dried root. Finally, when the cat’s yellow eyes appear through the sockets of the buffalo skull one of the mice exclaims that the buffalo’s spirit has returned.

I received my copy of this hardcover picture book free as an “Early Reviewer” and am really delighted to add it to my book collection. ( )

A short children's book. The tale is translated from an old Sioux story. The artwork is pretty good. Although I did not find the story all that interesting, it does have historical value. ( )

Voted Most Outstanding Children's Book of 2008 by the Mom's Choice Awards. ( )

Declared the "Most Outstanding Children's Book" of 2008 by the Mom's Choice Awards. ( )