First Fire: A Cherokee Folktale

K-Gr 2—Long ago, "when the world was new," Earth had no fire. Then the Thunders threw a lightning bolt, striking a sycamore tree on an island. Seeing the smoking tree, the animals wanted and needed that fire, but didn't know how to get to the island to carry fire back. Many animals wanted the honor of bringing fire across the water, but Raven, citing his great strength, made the first attempt. While Raven perched on a branch trying to figure out how to accomplish his task, fire scorched his feathers, turning them black. Frightened, he returned to the others without fire. Still today, a raven's feathers are black. Raven is followed by Screech Owl, Hoot and Horned Owl and Racer Snake all of which are unsuccessful in their quests and return to the fold with some fire-induced change in their appearance. Finally, Water Spider announces she has a plan and indeed, returns with a spark of the fire that warms Earth and its creatures to this day. This pourquoi tale's text is in a large, clear font accessible to emerging readers. The full-bleed illustrations use a lively palette and the large, animal renderings are quite realistic, which might be frightening to younger readers. There are extensive endnotes that share Cherokee history and further information about fire and water spiders. A serviceable title for those wanting a more illustrated version than those in text-heavy folklore compilations.—Sara-Jo Lupo Sites, George F. Johnson Memorial Library, Endicott, NY