THE RETURN OF THE BUFFALOES

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Goble, Paul. 1996. THE RETURN OF THE BUFFALOES. National Geographic Society. Washington, D.C. ISBN 079222714X

2. PLOT SUMMARY:
THE RETURN OF THE BUFFALOES talks about a tribe that has been many moons without food and how they must do something to find food. Two young scouts are sent out to look for the buffalo, but they just wander and wander until they agree that they would rather die than return to the camp without food. Then they meet a mysterious woman who ushers them into her tipi, in which thousands of buffalo are painted on the walls. She promises them she will send them buffalo soon. The young men race back to the camp and immediately all the members of the tribe pack up gifts to take back to the woman. Although all of them wait outside her tipi, she doesn't come out. So they leave the gifts and they return to their camp. In the middle of the night a great storm begins crashing all around the campsite and instead of thunder and lightening, it was buffaloes who had returned.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
By writing about a time of hardship, Paul Goble dramatizes the central importance of the buffalo to a vibrantly spiritual and artistic culture. He pictures the vastness of the empty plains, the excitement of discovering the Buffalo Woman, and the thundering return of the herd with superb artisty, bring us a world that must not be forgotten. The details in the India ink and watercolor pictures create realism in a surreal pictorial style. The great text shows compassion, caring, and a great trust in the mystery of life and is conveyed through simple language that is appropriate for all ages. This tale eloquently describes the quiet pride and unwavering honor of the Native Americans. Great combination of text and colorful pictures!

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S):
*School Library Journal: "The strong symbiotic relationship between Native Americans and the natural world is apparent in both the myth and the accompanying information. Goble's signature style is evident in his hues of vivid colors, stylized images, and traditional motifs. The large India-ink and watercolor illustration effectively contrast the natural world with Indian decoration...in a book that is entertaining, informative, and inspirational."
*Kirkus review: "Golbe is customarily generous with supporting information on the Plains Indians: Children can discover the Lakota design elements he incorporates into the art, learn how to make parfleche (an intricately decorated rawhide container for dried meat) and appreciate the use these native people made of every part of the buffalo. Attractive, absorbing fare."

5. CONNECTIONS:
*Follow up the reading with other Native American tales.
*Goble, Paul. 1998. THE LEGEND OF THE WHITE BUFFALO WOMAN. National Geographic Society. Washington, D.C. ISBN 9780792265528
*Crow Dog, Leonard; Lame Deer, John (Fire). 1976. THE SOUND OF FLUTES AND OTHER INDIAN LEGENDS. Pantheon books. New York. ISBN 0394831810