%% This is a multi-book review: SEE also the title Coyote in Love with a Star. %% Ages 48. Written and illustrated by American Indians, this new series, developed under the auspices of the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian, celebrates Native American culture in story books for young children. Coyote s a traditional pourquoi tale that explains why coyotes howl at the night sky. In this modern version, Coyote leaves his lonely reservation in Kansas for a new life in New York City--only to fall in love with a star. In Brave Wolf Thunderbird snatches Brave Wolf when he is out hunting and enlists his help to save her young chicks from the sea monster. Young listeners or readers will find the lighthearted stories with colorful, full-page illustrations both easy to understand and to enjoy. Both volumes have brief source notes as well as tribal information, a glossary of native terms, and historical photographs. (Reviewed December 1, 1998)

In this retelling of a Crow Indian story, a hunter is abducted by a mother Thunderbird, who asks that he help save her chicks from a monster. The simply told tale is effectively illustrated with color artwork--though readers may be put off by Brave Wolf's featureless face. A brief section of factual information about the Crow people, their language, and history follows the story.

K-Gr 2-In this story from the Crow people, Thunderbird takes a young man to her nest to save her chicks from a hungry lake monster. Although the story is very simple, the telling flows naturally, and is exciting enough to involve children. The brightly colored illustrations are almost childlike, and are reminiscent of the traditional paintings done by Plains Indians on animal hides. Archival photographs and factual information appear in a short section following the story. Unfortunately, part of this useful information is printed on the back endpapers. A good selection to add to Native folklore collections.-Darcy Schild, Schwegler Elementary School, Lawrence, KS