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Native American Legends
Quillworker: A Cheyenne Legend
A Cheyenne legend explaining the origins of stars
48 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 20, 2018
Listen to your dreams because maybe you are supposed to be in an entirely different family where you can be the sole (female) caretaker of Seven brothers - handstitching the buffalo hide you've hand beaten into submission and dyed and made beautiful - so beautiful, in fact that the buffalo want you to decorate them! Yes, cooking, cleaning, gathering food...wait, maybe you don't want to listen to your dreams; don't you have enough to do already?
This is a Cheyenne myth. She is a gifted quillworker. This means she gets to work really hard. For men. I am SURE i am missing something, if not most everything. i am open to education. i really am. Teach me. Because what i take home is a sexist horror story. Happy ending? They all get to be stars - like in the sky type stars. Isn't that death? i mean earth-type death?
Pass me the mood stabilizers, thanks.
This is a Cheyenne myth. She is a gifted quillworker. This means she gets to work really hard. For men. I am SURE i am missing something, if not most everything. i am open to education. i really am. Teach me. Because what i take home is a sexist horror story. Happy ending? They all get to be stars - like in the sky type stars. Isn't that death? i mean earth-type death?
Pass me the mood stabilizers, thanks.
June 23, 2019
Renowned - despite her young age - for her skill with a needle, Quillworker is prompted by a series of dreams to create seven beautiful war-shirts, and the breechclouts, leggings, moccasins, and gauntlets to go with them. Prompted again by her dreams, the young Cheyenne girl sets out for a distant lodge, where she knows that seven brothers are waiting to welcome her as their sister. All goes well, for a time, until the buffalo people appear, and demand Quillworker for themselves. When the seven brothers refuse to surrender their new sister, they find themselves under attack, and must climb into the sky to escape destruction, eventually becoming the constellation known as the Big Dipper.
A pourquoi tale explaining the origins of a well-known constellation, the story to be found in Terri Cohlene's Quillworker has also been retold by Paul Goble, in his picture-book, Her Seven Brothers , and features as one storytelling 'episode' (The Legend of Quillwork Girl And Her Seven Star Brothers) in the made-for-television film, Dreamkeeper. It also happens to be the last of Terri Cohlene's six folkloric adaptations, all part of the Native American Legends series, that I have read. I can't tell you how glad I am to be done with them!
As with all of Cohlene's other entries in the series - Turquoise Boy , Little Firefly , Dancing Drum , Clamshell Boy , and Ka-Ha-Si and The Loon - this title's lack of attribution, its omission of any reference to the source material used, greatly irritated me. That happens to be one thing that I particularly look for, in folkloric adaptations, and while I understand that older works of this nature might not include such information, I find it difficult to overlook its absence, in a book published in 1990. Unfortunately, the trouble with Quillworker doesn't end there, as the book also includes - as did Little Firefly - a reference in the time-line at the rear, to the Battle of Wounded Knee. As mentioned in my review of Little Firefly , I find this terminology utterly unacceptable, as it whitewashes a tragic, and very shameful episode in American history. To add insult to injury, this particular time-line also includes a reference to the Battle of Sand Creek!
One more time, all together: No, Terri Cohlene, these weren't battles. Battles are what happen when two military forces meet and engage. When military forces kill non-combatants, we call that a massacre. Or mass murder. Or a war crime. When the military force in question proceeds to mutilate the dead bodies of its victims (as was done at Sand Creek, where approximately 66% of the dead were women and children), we call that a bizarrely perverse atrocity. See the difference? Get it straight!
A pourquoi tale explaining the origins of a well-known constellation, the story to be found in Terri Cohlene's Quillworker has also been retold by Paul Goble, in his picture-book, Her Seven Brothers , and features as one storytelling 'episode' (The Legend of Quillwork Girl And Her Seven Star Brothers) in the made-for-television film, Dreamkeeper. It also happens to be the last of Terri Cohlene's six folkloric adaptations, all part of the Native American Legends series, that I have read. I can't tell you how glad I am to be done with them!
As with all of Cohlene's other entries in the series - Turquoise Boy , Little Firefly , Dancing Drum , Clamshell Boy , and Ka-Ha-Si and The Loon - this title's lack of attribution, its omission of any reference to the source material used, greatly irritated me. That happens to be one thing that I particularly look for, in folkloric adaptations, and while I understand that older works of this nature might not include such information, I find it difficult to overlook its absence, in a book published in 1990. Unfortunately, the trouble with Quillworker doesn't end there, as the book also includes - as did Little Firefly - a reference in the time-line at the rear, to the Battle of Wounded Knee. As mentioned in my review of Little Firefly , I find this terminology utterly unacceptable, as it whitewashes a tragic, and very shameful episode in American history. To add insult to injury, this particular time-line also includes a reference to the Battle of Sand Creek!
One more time, all together: No, Terri Cohlene, these weren't battles. Battles are what happen when two military forces meet and engage. When military forces kill non-combatants, we call that a massacre. Or mass murder. Or a war crime. When the military force in question proceeds to mutilate the dead bodies of its victims (as was done at Sand Creek, where approximately 66% of the dead were women and children), we call that a bizarrely perverse atrocity. See the difference? Get it straight!
December 8, 2015
This book is a Cheyenne Indian legend. A girl named Quillworker was the best in her trade, especially for how young she was. Everyone loved her designs and she even was put to the task of teaching younger girls how to quill. In a dream she saw a pattern she knew she had to make; she ended up making this pattern seven times in young boy sizes. Eventually her dreams led her to the tipi of the seven brothers, she was to be their sister. They were happy until bison came and tried to take away Quillworker. In order to save himself and his brothers the youngest brother, Wihio, used his Sky-Reaching power to grow a tree as tall as the clouds. Once they were there and the tree knocked down by the bison the seven brothers and Quillworker were stuck in the sky, so they became stars.
This was a very interesting and entertaining legend, told very well by Cohlene. The illustrations in this book were very good as well. The Native colors and patterns really stood out and made sense in the story. At the end of this book there is pages about the Cheyenne Indians, all about their customs and traditions. There is even a map showing where their people used to live, and pictures of them doing things like drying bison hide. This book would be very useful in teaching students about different Indian tribes. It would be a fun way to get the students interested before giving them the information about the tribe.
This was a very interesting and entertaining legend, told very well by Cohlene. The illustrations in this book were very good as well. The Native colors and patterns really stood out and made sense in the story. At the end of this book there is pages about the Cheyenne Indians, all about their customs and traditions. There is even a map showing where their people used to live, and pictures of them doing things like drying bison hide. This book would be very useful in teaching students about different Indian tribes. It would be a fun way to get the students interested before giving them the information about the tribe.
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September 25, 2019Summary-
This book was about a young Native American girl who was extremely good at quillwork. She was so good that everyone started calling her Quillworker. Quillworker has a dream that she goes to Tipi of Seven Brothers. A herd of buffalo try to tear down the tree that they are in. They keep bumping and bumping into the bottom of it. They are worried that it will fall over. The Tipi of Seven Brothers makes the tree grow taller until it touches the sky. They jump off into the clouds just in time for the tree to fall over. This is the legend of how the stars came to be in the sky.
Evaluation-
I really enjoyed this book. I believe it shows the Native American culture in a good way and would be great to share with students. This book was also fun and was very creative.
Teaching Ideas-
This book could be used to teach about some of the Native Americans in general. It could also be used to teach some of their legends.
This book was about a young Native American girl who was extremely good at quillwork. She was so good that everyone started calling her Quillworker. Quillworker has a dream that she goes to Tipi of Seven Brothers. A herd of buffalo try to tear down the tree that they are in. They keep bumping and bumping into the bottom of it. They are worried that it will fall over. The Tipi of Seven Brothers makes the tree grow taller until it touches the sky. They jump off into the clouds just in time for the tree to fall over. This is the legend of how the stars came to be in the sky.
Evaluation-
I really enjoyed this book. I believe it shows the Native American culture in a good way and would be great to share with students. This book was also fun and was very creative.
Teaching Ideas-
This book could be used to teach about some of the Native Americans in general. It could also be used to teach some of their legends.
September 26, 2019
Summary:
This book shares the Cheyenne legend of the stars. This book talks about a young Cheyenne girl named, Quilworker. Quilworker is named this for her ability to embroider. This book is about how the Cheyenne Indians believe the stars were created.
Evaluation:
I think that students would love this book and I enjoyed reading it as well. Students will find this book interesting because of all of the illustrations in the book as well as how the story is written. The legend is written as a story and not like facts or history. I enjoyed the way this book was written.
Teaching Idea:
I think this book would be good to use for Social Studies. This book could be used to explain to students how some Indian tribes believe certain legends. This book would be a good way to talk about Native American legends and culture with the students. I would do this as a read-aloud.
This book shares the Cheyenne legend of the stars. This book talks about a young Cheyenne girl named, Quilworker. Quilworker is named this for her ability to embroider. This book is about how the Cheyenne Indians believe the stars were created.
Evaluation:
I think that students would love this book and I enjoyed reading it as well. Students will find this book interesting because of all of the illustrations in the book as well as how the story is written. The legend is written as a story and not like facts or history. I enjoyed the way this book was written.
Teaching Idea:
I think this book would be good to use for Social Studies. This book could be used to explain to students how some Indian tribes believe certain legends. This book would be a good way to talk about Native American legends and culture with the students. I would do this as a read-aloud.
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October 8, 2019Summary: "Quillworker" colorfully illustrates the Cheyenne and their legends of the stars. The main character in the story is a girl named Quillworker named for her ability to embroider. The book explains how the Cheyenne believe the stars were hung in the sky.
Evaluation: I really enjoyed reading this book and I believe my students will enjoy it as well. Not only are the illustrations captivating, but the way the author tells the story of the Cheyenne people is fascinating. Instead of just stating blunt facts, the author makes learning small bits of history fun and exciting.
Teaching Idea: I would use this book to engage the students. I may use this book before I start a lesson or unit on Native Americans This would be a great book to peak students interest in the topic and encourage them to start learning about Native American culture.
Evaluation: I really enjoyed reading this book and I believe my students will enjoy it as well. Not only are the illustrations captivating, but the way the author tells the story of the Cheyenne people is fascinating. Instead of just stating blunt facts, the author makes learning small bits of history fun and exciting.
Teaching Idea: I would use this book to engage the students. I may use this book before I start a lesson or unit on Native Americans This would be a great book to peak students interest in the topic and encourage them to start learning about Native American culture.
October 8, 2019
This book is based on a Cheyenne myth about a gifted girl called a Quillworker. A quillworker is essentially someone who makes pretty clothes and embroideries. Her work was commended throughout her tribe until she finds a group of her "brothers" later on in the story and leaves the tribe. Her brothers protect her from a bear attack and they end up wandering so far along that they are too far to get back and turn into stars as a result. Her work can be seen in the night sky as she continues to be the "quillworker" and embroiders constellations. This book was pretty cute and based on Cheyenne mythology, as previously stated. This might be a cute introduction to a discussion about stars in the classroom, you could start a conversation about misconceptions with a book like this or possibly a unit about Native Americans and their culture.
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September 16, 2021The book of an only child named quill worker who was a wonderful embroider and created beautiful designs. She stated making a war shirt because she was told to in a dream and she worked hard and labored on this piece. She left with this piece of beautiful work because she was told to in the dream. She then finds her brothers from another life and helps them. She helps them but gets killed by buffalo and becomes a star in the sky. Then in the back it talks about the history of the Cheyenne Legend.
I could use this in the classroom by each group studying different Indian tribes and use this to add a story of folklore to their history of their tribe
I could use this in the classroom by each group studying different Indian tribes and use this to add a story of folklore to their history of their tribe
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October 8, 2019Summary: How did the stars come to be? In this legend you will follow the story of Quillworker and the seven brothers to understand how the stars came to be.
Evaluation: I love myths and legends, but this one was a little harder to follow. I enjoyed the ending though. It’s always interesting to find out how other cultures view the world and how things came to exist.
Teaching idea: Second grade standards include understanding legends and where the come from. This would be a good book to read while learning about legends.
Evaluation: I love myths and legends, but this one was a little harder to follow. I enjoyed the ending though. It’s always interesting to find out how other cultures view the world and how things came to exist.
Teaching idea: Second grade standards include understanding legends and where the come from. This would be a good book to read while learning about legends.
June 10, 2018
To some extent, a Snow White and the seven dwarfs story.
April 7, 2019
Great story! At the end of the story is a whole separate section dedicated to the history of the Cheyenne (super cool!)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2022
Very nice illustrations
January 15, 2011
I liked the simple, colorful but effective illustrations and the substantial factual information in the back of the book. Illustrations are not as sophisticated as Her Seven Brothers by Paul Goble but the story is basically the same.
October 24, 2014
The story of Quillworker, a girl who has amazing abilities to create, and the seven brothers who send for her. I am reminded of the fairy tale of the seven swans (anyone know what one I'm talking about). Love the format of these books, with the legend followed by enough facts to keep things easy to understand. I liked this one a lot.
July 8, 2014
The beloved MIL gave the Offspring a whole set of Native American picture books, with a traditional tale illustrated, as well as back matter about the specific tribe of origin. The Possum was indifferent, the PandaBat fascinated.
October 29, 2013
magnificent legend and and art work with information about the tribe and history
March 31, 2014
Cheyenne legend of how stars came to be in the sky.
November 13, 2014
With non-fiction section about tribe at end.
July 21, 2015
Read it years ago, recently read it again for our Summer Reading Program. Quillworker gains a family and a few new places to live. Now we all can see her.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews