The Range Eternal

by Louise Erdrich

A girl laments about her childhood home, The Range Eternal, where the family's little cabin in the Turtle Mountains was the source of protection, love, and imagination.

Genres: Picture Books, Indigenous, Childrens, Native American, History, Family, Realistic Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

Published October 1, 2002

About the author

Karen Louise Erdrich is a American author of novels, poetry, and children's books. Her father is German American and mother is half Ojibwe and half French American. She is an enrolled member of the Anishinaabe nation (also known as Chippewa). She is widely acclaimed as one of the most significant Native writers of the second wave of what critic Kenneth Lincoln has called the Native American Renaissance.

For more information, please see http://www.answers.com/topic/louise-e...

From a book description:

Author Biography:

Louise Erdrich is one of the most gifted, prolific, and challenging of contemporary Native American novelists. Born in 1954 in Little Falls, Minnesota, she grew up mostly in Wahpeton, North Dakota, where her parents taught at Bureau of Indian Affairs schools. Her fiction reflects aspects of her mixed heritage: German through her father, and French and Ojibwa through her mother. She worked at various jobs, such as hoeing sugar beets, farm work, waitressing, short order cooking, lifeguarding, and construction work, before becoming a writer. She attended the Johns Hopkins creative writing program and received fellowships at the McDowell Colony and the Yaddo Colony. After she was named writer-in-residence at Dartmouth, she married professor Michael Dorris and raised several children, some of them adopted. She and Michael became a picture-book husband-and-wife writing team, though they wrote only one truly collaborative novel, The Crown of Columbus (1991).

The Antelope Wife was published in 1998, not long after her separation from Michael and his subsequent suicide. Some reviewers believed they saw in The Antelope Wife the anguish Erdrich must have felt as her marriage crumbled, but she has stated that she is unconscious of having mirrored any real-life events.

She is the author of four previous bestselling andaward-winning novels, including Love Medicine; The Beet Queen; Tracks; and The Bingo Palace. She also has written two collections of poetry, Jacklight, and Baptism of Desire. Her fiction has been honored by the National Book Critics Circle (1984) and The Los Angeles Times (1985), and has been translated into fourteen languages.

Several of her short stories have been selected for O. Henry awards and for inclusion in the annual Best American Short Story anthologies. The Blue Jay's Dance, a memoir of motherhood, was her first nonfiction work, and her children's book, Grandmother's Pigeon, has been published by Hyperion Press. She lives in Minnesota with her children, who help her run a small independent bookstore called The Birchbark.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I loved this! It is so quietly deep and beautiful. It is one of those picture books that will stay with me. It's certainly a theme that has played out many times before (newer isn't always better... "you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone") but I really appreciate the way it's portrayed here. No one is "wrong" for wanting an electric range, at first it's kind of nice... there are advantages to it... but then, there are disadvantages, and sometimes you have to keep searching a long time until you realize what you've lost and try to reclaim it. Weaving in the imagery of the Range Eternal stove with the "range eternal" (the American range of the wild animals, from the time of these character's ancestors) is beautiful and poignant. I love that the mother in this story finds a way to keep the spirit of these ranges alive for her children. Highly recommend.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read soooo many picture books. I try to read all of the native and indigenous themed picture books in our library collection because I’m pretty sure no other library staff member does. I have noticed an absence of native girl characters that are not presented as historical figures or living through residential schools. This is just a lovely story about a girl who experiences the warmth created by “the range eternal”, a wood burning stove brand. It is extended into a metaphor for the range eternal of memory and of the past, but overall the line that captures the feel the most is “I long for a center of true warmth”. Gorgeous watercolor illustrations. This is cozy and nostalgic in the best way.

[Abby Johnson]

In this rich memoir, author Louise Erdrich remembers the wood burning stove that warmed her grandmother's kitchen as they made soup and cooked throughout the winter. This would be a good choice for young readers curious about life in "the olden days" and could prompt discussions about their parents and grandparents' memories.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

#OwnVoices Native, sort of a circle of life theme going on, definitely an analysis of the values of traditions, and a reinforcement of the value of families. Lovely art. Recommended to all libraries that serve children... but even if you're an adult, check it out and remember your heritage.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A richly imaginative tale of folklore, memory, comfort and tradition.
I've become a fan of Louise Erdrich over recent years. I'm glad I finally got around to experiencing The Range Eternal. My grandparents had a similar stove in their two-room adobe home.

Favorite Passages:
I saw the range of the buffalo, who once covered the plains of North Dakota so thickly that they grazed from horizon to horizon.
I ran the deer range. I ran the bear range. I galloped the range of horses. I loped the wolf range and fox range, the range of badger. I flew the sky, the range of herons, of cranes, hawks, and eagles.
I saw the Range Eternal.
_______

The breath of my sister in the rollaway was a feather standing above her lips.
_______

I had to close my heart over my fear.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

no one does it like erdrich. beautiful writing, beautiful illustrations.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Louise Erdrich’s picture book, The Range Eternal, memorializes the wood-burning stove that was the “warm heart” of her childhood family home. More than a utilitarian appliance, the Range Eternal brand stove, was the source of all the home's heat during the pre-electric winters of the narrator’s youth. A physical presence, a companion, the stove greeted her each morning, fed her each day, and at night, wrapped her head to toe in warmth as the fire danced behind the glass window, opening a door in the narrator’s imagination to the other Range Eternal, the grasslands of North Dakota’s past.

The Range Eternal offers two scant phrases that suggest (yet do not confirm) that the narrator is a Native American child: Turtle Mountains (a Reservation in North Dakota) and the Windigo (the monster in many Native American tales).

The illustrations by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher aptly convey the blue iciness when the Range Eternal is not ablaze and the glowing, orange toastiness when the fire is lit. The images of the buffaloes, antelopes and eagles in the flame clouds are truly inspiring.

[Jaci Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Realistic fiction book about the pros and cons of progress. How she misses the Range Eternal after progress comes and they no longer need it. Colorful illustrations. Ages 5-12. Text set: progress, traditions.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are wonderful watercolor paintings. The book is a tribute of sorts to The Eternal Range stove/oven. It reminds me of childhood and the strong memories that certain items/smells evoke in us. The author tells the story about the role the range played in her childhood and family, when she is grown she doesn't even realize what is missing until she sees a range just like the one her family had as a child. The use of imagery and descriptive language in this book is wonderful, I could almost taste the oatmeal as she was describing it. This book is simple enough for a child to connect to and complex enough for an adult to connect with. I could see using this as an example with middle school children to discuss the use of descriptive language, and how some words can have multiple meanings. Genre is fiction but perhaps also autobiographical.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erdrich's beautiful picture book is set on the plains which was once the range of hundreds of thousands of animals. This quietly reflective book is about childhood memories of that range and of another range - a wood stove called the Range Eternal. The range was for cooking and for heating the home and the child in the story draws comfort from the stove in the dark and stormy nights of winter.

The story is so relatable even for today's children who probably have never cooked over a wood stove like this. It is the memories of comfort and safety in the dark worries of the night that rings out strongly.

The illustrations are paintings by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher and they are stunningly beautiful with huge colorful skies sweeping across the wide pages.

A new printing of a book originally published in 2002 by Hyperion.

[Brianna Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not hear about Louise Erdrich until this book was read to me and I cannot say enough great things about this book. Not only is this book about a little native american girl but is written by a native american author, which makes this an interesting read because it is definitely not the norm in children's picture books. Reading about the attachment one can form with a staple in the house hold like a range eternal stove is nothing I would have thought a children's book would be about. However, I felt what the character felt in this book by the lovely story and beautiful pictures that helped depict this story. I definitely will use this in the future as I find this to be an adorable and amazing book for children.

[Madelaine O'Neil]

To be honest this book seemed really sad to me, but I enjoy sentimental things and this book was really sweet. The illustrations did not really catch me eye that much, but I felt that it was fitting for this book. The book was not about glamour and catchy bright colors. The words were more important and the simple/muted illustration style complimented it well. I don't know if I would pick this book to read out loud to my class or not, but I really enjoyed it and I would include it in my classroom for sure. I am glad you read this book to us to show us that there really are some great books out there that just don't have all the awards they deserve, and we shouldn't look exclusively at books that have awards.

[Katie Jacintho · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the illustrations in this book! I love how the smoke formed images that were subtle, but still very recognizable. We never had a wood stove growing up, but my mom tells stories of when she used to visit my uncle in Keokea. They had a wood-burning heater that my mom would sit by because it was so cold and wet there. I had a retreat in this same place while I was in high school, and we wished we could have lit the heater because we were all freezing. This reminded me of going camping in Poli Poli with my brother's class in grade school, and of going to Yellowstone National Park with my class in middle school. This book is one that I think most people have some sort of memory they can attach it to, and I love that.

[Patricia McCowan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful story about a young girl who loves the wood burning stove in her home. When the stove leaves and new technology comes she must learn to adapt without the stove which really became a piece of her heart. The stove was like a caregiver for the girl and the effect it had on her lasts through adulthood. The words are pretty simple and it would be good for 2nd or 3rd-grade readers. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful and have a wispy feel to them. Very realistic and proportional images featuring lots of landscape and natural images. I thought the book was beautiful and had a really powerful message.

[Sophie Klockow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: This book was written for her mom about her grandmother’s stove called the range eternal in South Dakota that’s warmth meant so much to her while growing up.
Connections: going to grandma's house and loving one part about it. The girl in the story loved grandma's stove. I love my grandma who we call Nanny's river (she lived on the Wynoochee river in Montesano/ Aberdeen area).
How you would use it: I don't see myself as using this book in my classroom.
Subject heading: Stoves, Wood--North Dakota--Juvenile fiction.
Stoves--Fiction.
Family life--North Dakota--Fiction.
North Dakota--History--20th century--Fiction.

[April]

For me, this book has a similar feel to Roxaboxen—a book which many people love but I just don’t care for. For me, there’s something that just doesn’t work when an author is reflecting on something very specific to their childhood that I can’t quite put my finger on. It’s like when someone tells you about their dreams. Maybe your spouse will find them amusing because they know you really well but others will just be half-heartedly interested.
I’m glad a stove was really important to Louise Erdrich, and I’m glad some children loved making a pretend town out of boxes, but I have other childhood memories that I can share with my kids, and reading about someone else’s feels boring.

[Aolund · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely, slow, warm, and sweet ode to memories of "The Range Eternal," a solid old stove which Erdrich's grandmother used to bake bread and potatoes and warm the house on icy winter's nights when it feels like Windigo the ice monster might be right outside. When electric light and heating come to their town, and the Range Eternal is replaced with an electric stove, and the main character of the story grows up, she realizes that what she's missing is that solid old stove. A beautiful memoir.

Themes: Nostalgia, Heat, Memory, Growing Up, Change
Age range: Kindergarten +

[Donald · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Range Eternal” was printed in raised lettering on the blue enamel of the door.”

The door being the one on the woodstove in their house. The Range Eternal also being the vast plains of North Dakota “from horizon to horizon”. This is just a beautiful book, wonderfully written and gorgeously illustrated! I guess it's a kids' book, but it is deep enough and introspective enough to touch anyone! I really vibed with the idea that modern conveniences aren't always that convenient. Like the author writes, "I long for the center of true warmth." True, true, true...

[Kelly Wickham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a metaphorical story about a little girl's fondest childhood memories. The child is not named in the book, but according to the synapse at the end of the story, it is the author's mother as a child. She talks about the Range Eternal in her childhood house that cooked, their food, warmed their house, and heated the potatoes that they carried on their long trek to school. And there was the Range Eternal where she learned to run, play with nature, and feel free. Both of these ranges gave her wonderful childhood memories and fostered a sense of safety and freedom in her life.

[Samantha Benton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strong motherly character with a light presence throughout the book. The illustrations flow perfectly with the text. The illustrations look as if they are being made of paint that is being blow. The importance of heat and weather through this book is crucial to understanding the book. The illustrations create a nice homey feeling, portraying a simplistic lifestyle. The range eternal is a surprising surprise near the end.

[Karina Alvarado · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because it allowed me to make a connection and remember the unbreakable bond I have with my mother and family. While I was reading this book, the illustrations and the words made me feel warm inside, which is a positive thing because we tend to remember books that made us feel an emotion. As a result, I would definitely have this book available in my classroom library, and I can see myself reading this book to my students aloud.

[Josie Krysinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

While reading this book, I could remember what it as like living in a small little cabin with 5 people that was made for one. Winters we freezing, with only a fireplace and a space heater to keep us warm. This is a wonderful story to remind young children that it doesn't matter how you grew up, but what you become from it. It's also another great way to remind young children that you can be anything you want as long as you work hard and follow your dreams.

[Terry]

We LOVE Louise Erdrich's writing. It is expressive and beautiful on its own. The illustrations in The Range Eternal make her words even more vivid. The lovely, lovely illustrations that blend the blue stove and skies the color of wheat help connect the literal (stove) and figurative (land) meanings of the "range eternal." Highly recommended.

[Maggie Panning · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been a favorite of ours for years. We have found ourselves longing for our own Range Eternal to keep winter and it’s cold and fears away. We have stirred jam into our oatmeal and dreamed of warmer days. This is a beautiful book about comfort and fear about progress and the things we gain and lose. It is about personal history. This is a beautiful book and everyone should curl up with their child/ren to read it.

[Hannahcarlson7875gmail.Com]

A story about a child who's childhood was filled with their family's bread stove that provided heat for their family during the cold winter nights. Once the stove was replaces she missed the stove and its warmth. I this could be a good discussion for what things in your family or house mean a lot to you

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Louise Erdrich brings us a vivid story of a girl on the plains of North Dakota and all she experienced there while growing up including freezing cold nights, thoughts of the Windigo monster, warm food from the wood stove, and family memories. Families will enjoy the descriptive language and illustrations of The Range Eternal, a picture book for kids age 5 – 9.

[Deke Moulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are really wonderful, and evoke an older time and place. It’s a touching narrative about Looking back on things lost, and things reconnected with, as the author connects an old stove with native culture. A bit long, but can definitely open up lots of conversations about the things we lose and how do we reconnect with them.

[Nicki Hinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

My great grandmother had an indoor wood burning range (not blue) but still similar model/make.

The stove really was a central point of the whole house. I loved watching her cook well into her 80’s and continuing to feed the wood by herself all the while.

What great memories to relive in a book!!

[MarineCAT · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sweet story to read. This is a story of a little girl growing up in the cold midwest and her memories of that home as a child. The illustrations are amazing, and I like the shapes of animals in the clouds. At the ending is great short story of the other and her connections to the Range Eternal. (Oven) Highly recommend for any classroom or library.

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Relating to life on the range can be hard and this book can relate to the lifestyle. This book gives insight into how it was to live that kind of life. This book captures the love of family and the range. Even as technology advances life, the range is eternal.