North American Folktales

Below is a mixture of folktales from Native American legends and westward expansion. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but rather a jumping off point for further research. Where author and publisher web site information is available, links are provided.

Texts were chosen because they offered new stories, or new versions of familiar stories, because they are commonly included in children's basal readers, and/or because the illustrations were extraordinary.

Disclaimer ---

This site was created by Diane Brown and Michelle Madden to fulfill requirements for an Oklahoma State University graduate class. This site is not considered to be child-safe because some of the sites referenced within this site link to the world wide web.

This page last updated April 24, 2003

Quillworker - A Cheyenne Legend

Written and Adapted by Terri Cohlene
Illustrated by Charles Reasoner

This story is about a Cheyenne girl who makes beautiful clothes. She makes clothes for 7 brothers, but buffalo try to take her away. The brothers protect her and they all go to live in the sky.

The second half of the book is factual information about the Cheyenne. The known history of the people is illustrated with historical photographs.

Copyright 1990 The Rourke Corporation, Inc.
Published by Watermill Press, an imprint of Troll Associates, Inc.

ISBN # 0-8167-2358-3

Turquoise Boy - A Navajo Legend

Written and Adapted by Terri Cohlene
Illustrated by Charles Reasoner

This story is about a Navajo boy who seeks to help his people. With his mother's blessings, he travels the four corners and meets sacred spirits. In this way the Navajo people come to know the 4 sacred mountains, the 4 sacred stones, and are introduced to horses.

The second half of the book is factual, giving information on the known history of the Navajo people. It is illustrated with historical photos.

Copyright 1990 The Rourke Corporation, Inc.
Published by Watermill Press, an imprint of Troll Associates, Inc.

ISBN # 0-86593-003-1

Why Butterflies Were Made -
A Papago Legend

Retold by Vita Jimenez
Illustrated by Catherine Huerta

This story is about two Papago girls named Sun and Moon. When they find a dead bird, they are saddened. Sun is so sad, she cannot leave her bed. A Wise Elder places objects with the colors of the rainbow into a basket. In the morning, butterflies come out and make the girl happy again. Reading level 3.5-4.0

Visit Harcourt for more information on ordering this book.

Copyright 2002 Harcourt, Inc.
Published by Watermill Press, an imprint of Troll Associates, Inc.

ISBN # 0-15-323178-5

The Legend of the Bluebonnet -
A Tale of old Texas

Retold and illustrated by Tomie DePaolo

She-Who-Is-Alone is a girl orphaned by a great drought. When the shaman returns from talking to the Great Spirits, he tells the people that they must sacrific what they most love because they have become selfish. The girl remembers all of those who loved her and created a special doll for her. She sacrifices the doll. The Great Spirits accept her gift, and give rain and Bluebonnet flowers in return.

Tomie DePaolo uses the last page of the book to discuss the spiritual nature of the Comanche People.

Visit Scholastic for more information on ordering this book.

Visit Tomie DePaola to visit the author's website

Copyright 1983 by Scholastic, Inc.

ISBN # 0-590-42603-6

The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush

Retold and illustrated by Tomie DePaolo

A Young Native American boy sees a vision that he is to paint pictures of the exploits of his tribe. He chooses this as his life's work, and is faithful to his calling, but longs to paint the colors of the sunset. When his wish is granted, he uses paintbrushes provided by the Great Spirit. These become the Indian Paintbrush flowers that grow in the high plains, Wyoming and Texas

Tomie DePaolo uses the last page of the book to discuss how he came to tell this story.

Visit Penguin/Putnam for more information on ordering this book.

Visit Tomie DePaola to visit the author's website

Copyright 1988 by Tomie DePaola, Inc.

</ ALIGN>Published by The Putnam & Grosset Group ISBN # 0-698-11360-8

Squanto's Journey
The Story of the First Thanksgiving

Told by Joseph Bruchac
Illustrated by Greg Shed

The history of the Wampanoag People and of the Pilgrims became intertwinned with the first landings of the English. Squanto's Journey is the story told from Squanto's perspective. The story is told plainly in easy to understand language and supported by beautiful illustrations. This is an excellent story to read at Thanksgiving, or any time of the year. It is included in the folktales listings because so much of the story has become legend.

The author uses the last two pages of the book to provide historical context and define special words used in the text.

Visit Scholastic for more information on ordering this book.

Visit Joseph Bruchac to visit the author's website

Copyright 2000 by by Joseph Bruchac and Greg Shed
Published by Scholastic, Inc.

ISBN # 0-439-32328-2

Ella and Her Mean Cousins
A Cinderella Story from America

Written by Cynthia Benjamin
Illustrated by Andrea Wesson

Ella lives on a farm. When her aunt and cousins move in, she finds herself doing all the chores. In a few years, her father passes on and things get rough for her. Finally, her fairy godmother, disguised as a pig, provides her with a new dress and new boots to wear to the barn dance where she snags a handsome cowboy. This book would make a good counterpoint to other Cinderella stories and would work as a good writing prompt for young authors to adapt other folktales.
Reading level is 2.5-3.0

Visit Harcourt for more information on ordering this book.

Copyright 2002 Harcourt, Inc.
Published by Watermill Press, an imprint of Troll Associates, Inc.

ISBN # 0-15-323149-1

The Rough Faced Girl

Retold by Rafe Martin
Illustrated by David Shannon

This Algonquin Cinderella tale concerns a girl who has tended the fire for so long that her face has become covered with scars. However, she, not her two sisters, are able to see the beauty of the earth, and therefore marry the Invisible Being. This book has terrific illustrations and has been known to hold a rowdy group of 3rd grade boys spellbound.

VisitRafe Martin to learn more about the author.

Visit Penguin Putnam for more information on ordering this book.

Copyright 1992 Rafe Martin and David Shannon.
Published by PaperStar/Puffin - a division of Penguin-Putnam

ISBN # 0-698-11626-7

Coyote Places the Stars

Retold and Illustrated by Harriet Peck Taylor

This Wasco Indian creation legend is a story about the origin of the constellations. In this book, Coyote is less of a trickster, and more of a creative genius, honoring his animal friends by placing their pictures in the sky. This book has terrific illustrations and is a great jumping off point for students to create their own star picture and legends

Visit Harriet Peck Taylor to learn more about the author.

Visit Macmillion Publishing for more information on ordering this book.

Copyright 1993 Harriet Peck Taylor
Published by Bradbury Press - a division of Maxwell Macmillian

ISBN # 0-02-788845-2