The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush

BASIC DOCUMENTATION
Book Title: The Lengend of the Indian Paintbrush

Author(s): Tomie DePaola

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Tomie DePaola

Publisher: G. P. Putnam’s Sons

Copyright Date: 1988

Genre: Folklore

Brief Annotation:
The book explains the legend of how the flower ‘Indian Paintbrush’ received its name and how it came to exist in the western plains.


Your Rating (1-5) and why: 5
The illustrations have good variety yet they also have a cohesive quality to them. DePaola did a great job illustrating the ‘spirits’ in a different format than the ‘living’ people but he was able to depict them in manner familiar to many students. There is an introduction to the way some Native American Indians had name changes throughout their lives and there are references to the Native American way of living.


Readers who will like this book:
Readers who enjoy Tomie DePaola illustrations
Readers interested in learning/hearing about Native American Indian folklore
Readers interested in learning about the history of plants (particularly how they were named)
Readers that are searching for their ‘talent’ while others around them have found theirs

Teaching Strategy from Yopp & Yopp :
p. 18-20 Anticipation Guide
Anticipation guides list statements that students reflect upon before and after reading/studying a topic. The idea is for the student to evaluate their opinions or beliefs about their existing knowledge and compare it to what they learned after the reading or area of study is complete. Students can then compare if or how their view had changed and discuss their findings.
I like this idea for students because the student and teacher can evaluate where they began and where they are when the end the area of study. There are many things to learn about and from Native American Indians. Reflecting on their knowledge before beginning the study can assist the teacher in finding a common area of interest or a weakness she can strengthen.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud:
How did you get your name? Does everyone receive their name by ___ (as you did)?
Where do flowers grow? How did they come into being?

Optional, but noted as extra effort:

1. Interest Level (age): 5-7

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 2.8