| Nanabosho Steals Fire is one of the titles in the Nanabosho series by Winnipeg children's author, Joseph McLellan. The author who is also a teacher believes in the power of the oral tradition and storytelling. He takes traditional stories about the Ojibwe (Anishinabek) trickster and teacher, Nanabosho, and weaves a contemporary story that will appeal to all children. In this story, a brother and sister hear the traditional explanation about the coming of fire. As they help their grandparents around the warmth of a fire, the children wonder how they would feel if they did not have fire. Their Nokomis (grandmother) then tells them the story of how Nanabosho turned himself into a rabbit in order to steal fire from a greedy old man. Nanabosho lived with his grandmother and they suffered from cold because their people did not have fire. When Nanabosho hears how an old man keeps fire only for himself and his daughters, he immediately devises a plan. Nanabosho transforms himself into a rabbit and is rescued by the old man's daughters. The girls bring the little bunny into the wigwam near the fire. Nanabosho seizes the opportunity and allows his fur to catch fire. He runs away and returns to his grandmother with the gift of fire. Nanabosho explains that every summer rabbits' fur will turn brown to remind the people how fire came to be. The illustrations by Don Monkman are designed to assist the reader with changes in time. In the contemporary setting, the illustrations are simple black and white drawings. When the story changes to the past, the drawings are rendered in colour. A glossary of the Ojibwe words and their meanings is provided. An excellent story for reading aloud. UNAVAILABLE |
