1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bruchac, Joseph. 1996. THE CIRCLE OF THANKS NATIVE AMERICAN POEMS AND SONGS OF THANKSGIVING. ill. Murv Jacob. BridgeWater Books. ISBN 9780816740123
2. BOOK REVIEW
This book is a collection of poems based on traditional Native American songs and prayers. The poems in this book describe the things that the Native American people are thankful for. Most of the poems center around nature. The earth, the weather, the animals, the plants, exist in harmony and in unison in these poems. The reader will be able to feel the deep appreciation and respect that the Native American people have for the environment and nature. The poems are written in a tone that is warm and respectful as things such as the rain, wind, and corn are depicted as things for which to be thankful. This way of praising and valuing everything in their lives, big or small, is unique to the Native American people. Familiar experiences and topics are presented in unique ways and allows the reader to begin to understand their value. There is a great deal of sensory images in the poems in this book as the reader can almost hear and feel things such as the wind and the rain. The reader will feel a personal response to the poems as he or she will feel the deep appreciation toward nature and every creature that inhabits it.
The poems in this book do not rhyme. Some of the lines repeat in some of the poems making an appealing rhythm when read aloud. The illustrations add to the appeal of this book as Jacob paints his pictures using rich colors in mostly browns, greens, and blues, which correspond to the colors of the earth, grass, and sky.
This poem book begins with a note to the reader where it is revealed that the poems in this book are based upon traditional Native American songs and prayers. Written under each poem, is the name of the Native American tribe and location that the poem is based upon.
3. SELECTED POEM
The poem I selected from this book is titled "The Circle of Thanks." I chose it because it depicts the theme of the book overall in that the Native American people give thanks for everything that is important in life such as the earth, nature, animals, and people.
This book could be read as part of a Thanksgiving lesson. After reading it aloud to the class, the students could write a short poem about something that they are thankful for and share it with the class.
THE CIRCLE OF THANKS
As I play my drum
I look around me
and I see the trees.
The trees are dancing
in a circle about me
and they are beautiful.
As I play my drum
I look around me
and I see the sun and moon.
The sun and moon are dancing
in a circle about me
and they are beautiful.
As I play my drum
I look around me
and I see the stars.
The stars are dancing
in a circle about me
and they are beautiful.
As I play my drum
I look around me
and I see my people.
All my people are dancing
in a circle about me
and my people, they are beautiful.
Bruchac, Joseph. 1996. THE CIRCLE OF THANKS NATIVE AMERICAN POEMS AND SONGS OF THANKSGIVING. ill. Murv Jacob. BridgeWater Books. ISBN 9780816740123
2. BOOK REVIEW
This book is a collection of poems based on traditional Native American songs and prayers. The poems in this book describe the things that the Native American people are thankful for. Most of the poems center around nature. The earth, the weather, the animals, the plants, exist in harmony and in unison in these poems. The reader will be able to feel the deep appreciation and respect that the Native American people have for the environment and nature. The poems are written in a tone that is warm and respectful as things such as the rain, wind, and corn are depicted as things for which to be thankful. This way of praising and valuing everything in their lives, big or small, is unique to the Native American people. Familiar experiences and topics are presented in unique ways and allows the reader to begin to understand their value. There is a great deal of sensory images in the poems in this book as the reader can almost hear and feel things such as the wind and the rain. The reader will feel a personal response to the poems as he or she will feel the deep appreciation toward nature and every creature that inhabits it.
The poems in this book do not rhyme. Some of the lines repeat in some of the poems making an appealing rhythm when read aloud. The illustrations add to the appeal of this book as Jacob paints his pictures using rich colors in mostly browns, greens, and blues, which correspond to the colors of the earth, grass, and sky.
This poem book begins with a note to the reader where it is revealed that the poems in this book are based upon traditional Native American songs and prayers. Written under each poem, is the name of the Native American tribe and location that the poem is based upon.
3. SELECTED POEM
The poem I selected from this book is titled "The Circle of Thanks." I chose it because it depicts the theme of the book overall in that the Native American people give thanks for everything that is important in life such as the earth, nature, animals, and people.
This book could be read as part of a Thanksgiving lesson. After reading it aloud to the class, the students could write a short poem about something that they are thankful for and share it with the class.
THE CIRCLE OF THANKS
As I play my drum
I look around me
and I see the trees.
The trees are dancing
in a circle about me
and they are beautiful.
As I play my drum
I look around me
and I see the sun and moon.
The sun and moon are dancing
in a circle about me
and they are beautiful.
As I play my drum
I look around me
and I see the stars.
The stars are dancing
in a circle about me
and they are beautiful.
As I play my drum
I look around me
and I see my people.
All my people are dancing
in a circle about me
and my people, they are beautiful.
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