Gift Horse: A Lakota Story

From newcomer Nelson, a starry-eyed but exhilarating story of a Lakota boy coming of age on the Plains during the 19th century. The boy receives a horse from his father, a gift of great symbolic freight; it is on this horse, Storm, that the boy will travel to manhood. The boy explains the elements that go into becoming a Lakota warrior: he must learn to think before acting, to show imagination in the hunt, to be invited to attend a sweat lodge, and to go on a vision quest. Two major acts of courage are also involved: the taking of a buffalo and a confrontation with the enemy. The last is simply contact with, not the killing of, an enemy of his people, carried out during a raid to recapture horses, including Storm, stolen from the show more Lakota. Nelson explains every act within its spiritual context, which tends to slow the story, but the acts are so plainly good—thanking the buffalo for his gift, living in harmony with the earth and its creatures, etc.—that they are worthy of inclusion. The artwork is modeled after the ledger book drawings of the Plains Indians, as is explained in an author’s note, which further elucidates the other stages of the boy’s entering manhood. An impressive debut. (Picture book. 4-8)
(Kirkus Review) show less

I really enjoyed this book. The story is great, the illustrations are beautifully done, the color palette is lovely, and the included information about the Lakota tribe is interesting.

Native American themed text (Lakota/Sioux/Plains Indians)

The author's note at the end of the book is a fabulous resource for providing background information on the Lakota tribe and the right of passage that Lakota boys went through to arrive a manhood - excellent.

Beautifully and vibrantly illustrated book.

Relates the story of a Lakota youth whose father gives him a horse in preparation for his making the transition from boyhood into manhood and becoming a Lakota Warrior. The story describes the various steps that were necessary to be considered a warrior. Wonderful insight into many of the customs and traditions of the Lakota (or Sioux) tribe before the westward expansion of the settlers. Text would be a fantastic conversation starter show more about the lifestyle of the Lakota tribe and the importance of tradition. Would help students see the US from a different perspective from their own. show less

Carle Museum horse exhibit

A text-heavy story in first person, best for an older picture book audience, but with bold, brilliant illustrations featuring stylized human and equine characters with traditional dress and paint designs. Flying Cloud is a boy becoming a young man when his father gives him a horse called Storm. "I was already a good rider, but on Storm I became like the wind." Flying Cloud goes through the rites of becoming a Lakota warrior, including the sweat lodge, a vision quest, and a raid to retrieve stolen horses - including Storm - from the Crow.

A detailed author's note gives a personal history (Nelson is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe in the Dakotas; his great-great-grandfather's name was Flying Cloud) as show more well as a background on Lakota traditions and alliances (e.g. with the Cheyenne). show less

This is a Lakota story of the Native Americans. When a father gifts a horse to his son for becoming a man soon, the story is about how the horse and the boy spend the days riding across the prairie and hunting deer in the snow storm. The horse is stolen by the enemies of the Lakota and the boy, Flying Cloud joins the rescue party to bring back his gift horse, Storm. It is a story telling us about the Lakota Indians.

Relates the story of a Lakota youth whose father gives him a horse in preparation for his making the transition from boyhood into manhood and becoming a Lakota Warrior.