First Fire: A Cherokee Folktale

April 1, 2014

K-Gr 2-Long ago, "when the world was new," Earth had no fire. Then the Thunders threw a lightning bolt, striking a sycamore tree on an island. Seeing the smoking tree, the animals wanted and needed that fire, but didn't know how to get to the island to carry fire back. Many animals wanted the honor of bringing fire across the water, but Raven, citing his great strength, made the first attempt. While Raven perched on a branch trying to figure out how to accomplish his task, fire scorched his feathers, turning them black. Frightened, he returned to the others without fire. Still today, a raven's feathers are black. Raven is followed by Screech Owl, Hoot and Horned Owl and Racer Snake all of which are unsuccessful in their quests and return to the fold with some fire-induced change in their appearance. Finally, Water Spider announces she has a plan and indeed, returns with a spark of the fire that warms Earth and its creatures to this day. This pourquoi tale's text is in a large, clear font accessible to emerging readers. The full-bleed illustrations use a lively palette and the large, animal renderings are quite realistic, which might be frightening to younger readers. There are extensive endnotes that share Cherokee history and further information about fire and water spiders. A serviceable title for those wanting a more illustrated version than those in text-heavy folklore compilations.-Sara-Jo Lupo Sites, George F. Johnson Memorial Library, Endicott, NY

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2014
An unsourced Cherokee folk tale tells of the origin of fire. The story is introduced by a picture of an adult regaling children by the fire; all are clad in buckskin. When a sycamore tree on an island is struck by lightning, the council of animals meets to figure out how to reach it and capture the fire burning there. Each volunteers to carry the fire back, venturing forth one by one. Raven's white feathers are scorched black; Screech Owl's eyes are burned red; Racer the snake twists and turns to escape the heat. Finally, Spider spins a bowl on her back and carries a coal back across the water, bringing fire to the animals. The illustrations are large and bold but stiff and amateurish-looking, with many close-ups of animal heads dominated by mouths that gape in terror. The water spider herself may be correctly depicted, but a closing note will only confuse readers by describing three different spiders (and one spiderlike insect) that walk on or swim in water and not telling them which one figures in the story. Information is also included about the Cherokee "then and now," and fire; none of it is sourced. Although the tale itself is unsourced as well, versions of it are available on the Web. An earnest effort but unengaging at best. (Picture book/folk tale. 5-8)

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