They Dance in the Sky: Native American Star Myths

This book is written at about a grade 8 level, which makes it a good candidate for reading to children.It contains a sampling of indigenous tribes' folklore from North America. No violence, sex, or intoxication stories here - rather, family and adherence to traditional tribal customs are stressed, again making the book suitable for children. Monochrome line sketches highlight some of the stories. Chapter overviews are very useful - they give a sense of the character of different nations' histories as reflected in their stories. Author says some of these stories have never before been told. The authors attempt to associate stars and constellations mentioned in the stories with our modern sky - with modest success. Altogether, the stories paint a picture of peoples much more in tune with nature and the sky than modern civilization seems to be - a good "perspective check" for us.

Organized around two different constellations, the Big Dipper and the Pleiades. Gives star stories about these two constellations from a variety of Native American tribes. Since both are easy to find in the night sky, it's easy for kids (and adult beginners) to locate the stars that the first Americans interpreted in their own ways. I collect Native American mythology and work in a museum, and am contributing to a planetarium program currently in the works, re how the Native Americans viewed the night sky and the stories they told about the stars. This book is most helpful--Thank you!

Important book if working on Alternate Constellation Program (AL).

Book covered stories from various indigenous N. American cultures. Appreciated that background information was given relating to cultural groups.

Coming to this book knowing nothing of Native American star myths, I found this really engaging and interesting. I love how the authors have split the book into tribes. It was fun to watch reoccurring characters, and trace how they changed between different peoples.

Beautiful stories and insights into American indigenous cultures.

This book is perfect as a bedtime story book for older kids. I used it on a camping trip and found that they became more interested in astronomy the longer I read the book.

I thought I had done a sufficient amount of research before buying this book but apparently not. I purchased this to read as bedtime stories to my 5-year-old and after reading the first few realized every story so far involves killing of some sort. To each their own as far as what people find appropriate to teach their children but this was not something I wanted them to hear as they drift off to sleep. I’m sure it’s a wonderful book for someone else, just wasn’t what I was looking for. Returned.

Read most of these to grand child and learned more that I did not know

Very strange little story, not necessarily what you'd expect, almost severe. It is also part of a longer tale and it would be great to have more. Not sure how much a child would enjoy it - it is quite a spiritual telling but I still think it is a lovely thought provoking book.

A delightful book that gives a new insight into the ways in which mankind has sought to understand Creation and the Great Questions that fascinate so many people

I'm very happy with my book , it was really new, I still enjoy read it, and it has a beatiful flower within...

Brought for my child for bed time i love it. Although some stories might be for a bit of a older audience