Brother Eagle, Sister Sky

There's no reliable transcript of what Si'ahl said to his gathered people in March 1854. He was a Native American though, so we should just assume it was all about bears and deers, and leaping spirits, and the importance of harnessing renewable energy for a sustainable future. He didn't ride a horse, as he wasn't a plains Indian, but what kind of boring illustration would that make? I'd like to think that Chief Seattle invented the environmental movement with a searing vision-warning about our industrialised future and that he didn't just have a moan about being shuffled off to a reservation. Reading this, I can believe that he did.

3starP
Ages 5 to 8
Artistic Media: watercolors, pastels
Artistic Style: impressionism

Kindergarten-Third Grade. An adaptation of a speech with a powerful environmental message given by Chief Seattle during treaty negotiations in the 1850s is accompanied by detailed, colorful pen-and-ink illustrations of nature in all her glory as well as her destruction by human hands. Opening with moving words, "How can you buy the sky? How can you own the rain?", the complementary illustrations depict a romantic and picturesque view of Native Americans working in harmony with the land and a flourishing of plants and animals. As the tone of the speech becomes more cautionary, so do the illustrations—the lush landscapes become barren wastelands stripped show more of trees and animals. The book's strength lies in Jeffers' artistic ability to convey a stirring and timely environmental message. However, it falls disappointingly short in its overly simplistic and romanticized portrayal of Native Americans. Jeffers does a disservice to the complexity of Native Americans by lumping all Native American tribes in together and using stereotypical Indian images (teepees, fringe clothing, and canoes). The minimal attempt to acknowledge the origins and source of the speech does not override the lack of source notes or list of resources. A disappointing read despite its moving, environmental message. show less

1Q 4P
While the paintings by Susan Jeffers are quite beautiful there are too many issues and missteps within this book to warrant a high quality book review. Chief Seattle's "speech" is warped and manipulated to fit the purposes of Jeffers environmental stance and the blatant ignorance of specific tribes is rather offensive. I also found the last two pages especially disturbing for what they seem to suggest (white family remains, native americans are merely ghosts). However this book is popular even to this day and I have encountered people who still rave about it.

I'm not sure whether or not I find this book sort of offensive. Chief Seattle's powerful words seem to be being co-opted by a white illustrator to make a point to white readers. I'd like to hear what members of Chief Seattle's tribe have to say about the paintings, before I shared the book with children.

The source of this beautiful salute to our world and our connection to it is shadowed. Perhaps it was first voiced by Chief Seattle, perhaps it was not. But the concept is important and valuable, as well as lyrically written. And, oh my, the illustrations! Subtle, multi-layered, beautiful. The more you look, the more you see.

Reading Level: 4.2
Genre: Nonfiction - Informational

Summary: A message for Chief Seattle ad he describes the Native American’s love for the Earth and the want and need to preserve it. The book captures the essence of their respect and reverence for the beauty of the land and its inhabitants. The message is that we belong to the Earth, that it does not belong to us. (Although the book attributes this idea of Chief Seattle, that is in question.)

Evaluation: This is a beautiful message that clearly shows the students how much the Native Americans appreciated the land and nature. This message by Chief Seattle is beautifully written and is very descriptive when talking about the beautiful Earth that the Indians lived on. This book shows the show more reader that the Indians appreciated all the beauty of the Earth and lived as one with the land, rather than trying to destroy it. The illustrations are stunning and cover the entire page. They are done in fine-line pen with ink and dyes and capture the beauty of America. Jeffers’ beautiful illustrations are reason enough to share this book with students. It makes the connection between people and the Earth and the responsibility we al share to take care of our environment and its creatures. show less

Tries too hard to be organic/natural in its plea for environmental friendliness. It's almost as if the author wanted to write a book about saving the planet's resources and thought that having it told by a Native American would make the message more powerful. Further burdening this book are the controversies regarding the transcripts of Chief Seattle's speech, the accuracy of the cover and other illustrations, as well as the manner in which people are depicted.