How the Birch Tree Got Its Stripes: A Cree Story For Children

by Freda Ahenakew, George Littlechild (Illustrator)

Wisahkecahk attempts to test his stamina by fasting while his ducks cook. He asks the birch tree to hold him but becomes angry when some forest animals steal his food and the birch tree will not free him.

29 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the telling of a traditional Cree story that describes how birch trees came to have stripes, which involves a trickster, some ducks, and a bunch of hungry animals in a forest. The ending is quite unexpected!

How The Birch Tree Got Its Stripes is a great read for young readers as well as anyone who is interested in Cree culture.

The illustrations are one of my favourite aspects of the book - gorgeous and compelling.

[CanadianReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't crazy about George Littlechild's muddy and rather primitive illustrations, but the tale is accessible and would be a great model for children's own writing of a pourquoi tale.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story about this story is pretty cool
It's a student story ... The book was "prepared with the help and support of George Littlechild, who did the illustrations, and of Caroline Heath, who recognizes the need for publishing Cree legends for all children."
#representation matters

[Sheli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story. warning and spoiler: the boy beats the tree with a birch branch to cause the stripes. my students were shocked. guess i should have read it to myself first.