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The Thunder Egg
Stands-by-Herself lives with her grandmother in a buffalo-hide tipi among their Cheyenne people on the Great Plains. Other children make fun of her because she is always by herself dreaming. One day she finds a strange egg-shaped rock and senses there is something special about it. Taking it home, she cares for it as if it were a child, even though the other children mock her. When a terrible drought threatens to wipe out her people, could Stands-by-Herself’s rock hold the key to their survival? The Thunder Egg is the story of a girl’s coming of age, when she realizes that life can require us to think of others before ourselves and to follow what our hearts tell us. Featuring an author’s note, informative notes on the illustrations, and a bibliography, the book is filled with vibrant images of Plains Indian life in the unspoiled West. Carefully crafted text and paintings bring a true authenticity to the time, place, and people of the story.
28 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2015
162 people want to read
About the author
Tim J. Myers
30 books20 followersTim J. Myers is a writer, songwriter, storyteller, and lecturer at Santa Clara University in Silicon Valley. His"Glad to Be Dad: A Call to Fatherhood" is out from Familius and "Nectar of Story: Poems" from BlazeVox. He has 15 children's books out and one on the way. His children’s books have won recognition from the New York Times, NPR, the Smithsonian, Nickelodeon, and others. He’s published over 130 poems, won a first prize in a poetry contest judged by John Updike, has a poetry chapbook out, won a major prize in science fiction, was nominated for two Pushcarts, and has published much other fiction and non-fiction for children and adults. He recently won the West Coast Songwriters Saratoga Chapter Song of the Year award. His website is www.TimMyersStorySong.com, his YouTube channel is at https://www.youtube.com/user/TimJMyers, and he can whistle and hum at the same time.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 18, 2021
How Stands-By-Herself Saved Her Village
"The Thunder Egg" is a new illustrated book for children five years and up set among the Cheyenne Indians of the Great Plains in the early 18th Century. The main character is a young girl, Stands-by-Herself, who lives alone with her grandmother. Stands-by-Herself is dreamy and introspective and often is teased by the other children. "Don't listen when the children tease you", says her grandmother. "The Creator made different kinds of people. Someday you'll find your power, and with it the good you can do in the world."
The little story shows how the grandmother's advice comes to pass. Stands-by Herself finds a mysterious large rock which her grandmother tells her may be the egg of the Thunderbird, sacred to the god. Stands-by-Herself takes care of it to the ridicule of other children. Then, when a severe drought threatens the village, the medicine man calls for sacrifice. Stands-by-Herself reluctantly decides to part with her treasure. The Thunderbird appears amidst thunder and lightening to thank her. The village is saved. Stands-by-Herself becomes a tribal hero.
Tim J. Myers, a songwriter as well as an author of many children's books wrote this little tale based upon plains Indian legends. Winfield Coleman, an illustrator and ethnologist, prepared the beautiful pastel illustrations. The illustrations capture much of the detail of early plains Indian life before the coming of settlers. Coleman has prepared detailed notes on the illustrations to help children, teachers, and parents understand their significance. The book also includes Myers' brief personal Afterword.
The book is short and can be read by or to children quickly, but it includes much material for discussion in the story and the pictures. A group of nine discussion questions on the book may be found on the website of the publisher, Wisdom Tales Press. The first question, for example, reads: "Tim J. Myers story, 'The Thunder Egg" contains a conflict within Stands-by-Herself. What big decision does she have to make and why is it so difficult for her?" The questions will get children to think about the story while the illustrations and accompanying notes will help children to look carefully for detail and significance.. This is a fine children's book about Indian culture, about being alone, and about the nature of sacrifice. Wisdom Tales Press kindly provided me with a copy of this book for review.
Robin Friedman
"The Thunder Egg" is a new illustrated book for children five years and up set among the Cheyenne Indians of the Great Plains in the early 18th Century. The main character is a young girl, Stands-by-Herself, who lives alone with her grandmother. Stands-by-Herself is dreamy and introspective and often is teased by the other children. "Don't listen when the children tease you", says her grandmother. "The Creator made different kinds of people. Someday you'll find your power, and with it the good you can do in the world."
The little story shows how the grandmother's advice comes to pass. Stands-by Herself finds a mysterious large rock which her grandmother tells her may be the egg of the Thunderbird, sacred to the god. Stands-by-Herself takes care of it to the ridicule of other children. Then, when a severe drought threatens the village, the medicine man calls for sacrifice. Stands-by-Herself reluctantly decides to part with her treasure. The Thunderbird appears amidst thunder and lightening to thank her. The village is saved. Stands-by-Herself becomes a tribal hero.
Tim J. Myers, a songwriter as well as an author of many children's books wrote this little tale based upon plains Indian legends. Winfield Coleman, an illustrator and ethnologist, prepared the beautiful pastel illustrations. The illustrations capture much of the detail of early plains Indian life before the coming of settlers. Coleman has prepared detailed notes on the illustrations to help children, teachers, and parents understand their significance. The book also includes Myers' brief personal Afterword.
The book is short and can be read by or to children quickly, but it includes much material for discussion in the story and the pictures. A group of nine discussion questions on the book may be found on the website of the publisher, Wisdom Tales Press. The first question, for example, reads: "Tim J. Myers story, 'The Thunder Egg" contains a conflict within Stands-by-Herself. What big decision does she have to make and why is it so difficult for her?" The questions will get children to think about the story while the illustrations and accompanying notes will help children to look carefully for detail and significance.. This is a fine children's book about Indian culture, about being alone, and about the nature of sacrifice. Wisdom Tales Press kindly provided me with a copy of this book for review.
Robin Friedman
September 30, 2015
This sweet story of a lonely girl's sacrifice should resonate with readers of all ages. The afterward by author Tim Meyers explaining his writing process for this story contains useful insights teachers should share in the classroom. I was very impressed by the Illustrator Notes footnoting the careful research and depiction of Native American culture.
July 28, 2015
A beautifully illustrated story of a lonely child, Stands-by-Herself, and a village’s need for rain, Tim J. Myers’ The Thunder Egg reads like a Native American myth, but draws and speaks to many cultures. The story’s pleasingly evocative as children tease and adults seek for hope. It’s gorgeously illustrated too, from cover to frontispiece to pages filled with haunting color and detail. The book ends with a nice description of the story’s inspiration—a cool blend of myth, history and science—and with the illustrator's explanation of the pictures, including telling details a child, or adult, will quickly look back to find.
Children in all cultures can easily feel lost and alone. Grandparents in all cultures are often left caring for a child whose needs seem more than they can give. And adults in all cultures can relate to a world where the safe and predictable falls short. When rains fail on the plains, the holy man prays for the world to be made new. But how much can a child, or an adult, be asked to give up for the needs of the community?
Stands-by-Herself chooses for herself what she will give, and gains a story, a legend and a hope, as told in this lovely tale, highly recommended for families of all cultures.
Disclosure: I was given a free copy by the publisher and I offer my honest review.
Children in all cultures can easily feel lost and alone. Grandparents in all cultures are often left caring for a child whose needs seem more than they can give. And adults in all cultures can relate to a world where the safe and predictable falls short. When rains fail on the plains, the holy man prays for the world to be made new. But how much can a child, or an adult, be asked to give up for the needs of the community?
Stands-by-Herself chooses for herself what she will give, and gains a story, a legend and a hope, as told in this lovely tale, highly recommended for families of all cultures.
Disclosure: I was given a free copy by the publisher and I offer my honest review.
November 29, 2015
A shy young girl called Stands-By-Herself, a Cheyenne, lived with her grandmother on the Great Plains. She was often teased by other children because she was so different. She liked to dream and gaze at the new moon. One day she found a large rock that looked like a giant egg. Her grandmother told her that it might have been laid by a Thunderbird, the rain bringer. The young girl cared for the large egg and even created a song for it.
The summer was hot and dry. Some people got sick and most were hungry and suffering because it hadn’t rained in a very long time. If the stories were true that a Thunderbird could bring rain, then Stands-By-Herself would have to sacrifice her egg. Is she brave enough and strong enough to save her people? Will the Thunderbird come?
Author Tim J. Myers has created a story that teaches bravery and sacrifice. Simple sentence structure and the soft tone of the story match the beautiful illustrations. The illustrations truly depict the simplicity of Native American living. Parents and teachers will love the underlying message and can discuss what life was like for these people long ago. This book features an Afterword by the author, informative Notes on the Illustrations, and a bibliography.
The summer was hot and dry. Some people got sick and most were hungry and suffering because it hadn’t rained in a very long time. If the stories were true that a Thunderbird could bring rain, then Stands-By-Herself would have to sacrifice her egg. Is she brave enough and strong enough to save her people? Will the Thunderbird come?
Author Tim J. Myers has created a story that teaches bravery and sacrifice. Simple sentence structure and the soft tone of the story match the beautiful illustrations. The illustrations truly depict the simplicity of Native American living. Parents and teachers will love the underlying message and can discuss what life was like for these people long ago. This book features an Afterword by the author, informative Notes on the Illustrations, and a bibliography.
May 12, 2015
Based on a Cheyenne story, this tale relates how Stands-by-Herself tended to be introspective and stay to herself, leading other children to tease her for being different. When she gives up an enormous rock to which she has become attached--the child of the Thunderbird--her people are rewarded with rain just when it is most needed. The story's message is valuable, and the detailed discussions about each of the illustrations offer insight into the images. Readers will surely wonder about the difficulty of giving up what matters most to them while also understanding why doing so is important.
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January 31, 2016Tim J. Myers' new children 19s book, "The Thunder Egg," is out from Wisdom Tales Press. Stands-by-Herself, a young Cheyenne girl, faces a painful decision 14should she give up something she loves for the good of her people? There is sacrifice 14and wonder 14in store for her. Superb and historically accurate illustrations by artist and scholar Winfield Coleman.
September 7, 2015
I received this book from a Goodreads Giveaway. I read this to my 3 and 4 year old. My daughter(the 3 year old) especially loved it. I liked the graphics, and the story. I am a big fan of Indian heritage. I am Cherokee.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews