Clamshell Boy: A Makah Legend

Native American Legends

by Terri Cohlene, Charles Reasoner (Illustrator)

Retells the legend of Clamshell Boy, who rescues a captured group of children from the dreaded wild woman Ishcus; includes information on the customs and lifestyle of the Makah Indians.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Native American, Folklore, School, Mythology

47 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although Salmonberry's mother warns her to return to their village before dark, in order to avoid Basket Woman - a fearsome giant said to haunt the beach, and make off with naughty children, in order to roast and eat them - the young Makah girl convinces herself, and her friends, that there is nothing to worry about. When the children are all kidnapped as a result, it falls to Clamshell Boy - who rises out of the clam upon which Salmonberry's mother is weeping - to rescue them, tricking Basket Woman, and luring her to her own destruction...

This folktale from the Makah people of Neah Bay, Washington is the second entry in the Native American Legends series that I have read, after First Woman and the Strawberry: A Cherokee Legend , by Gloria Dominic, and follows the same format, presenting the tale first, and following it with a brief factual introduction to the people from which it came. I was really quite disappointed to see that the latter focuses exclusively on the historical Makah, rather than their present-day descendants, although this isn't that uncommon, in children's books about Native Americans. The story itself was interesting, although I would have preferred to know what source the author used, in telling it.

All in all, Clamshell Boy was a pleasant, but unremarkable read, with appealing, but slightly generic stylized illustrations. If it sounds like I'm damning it with faint praise, I am: this was a fairly low three stars for me. Enough to convince me to try some of Terri Cohlene's other folkloric retellings (I have them all checked out of the library, at the moment), but somehow, not entirely satisfactory either.

[Lynda Breithaupt-Muenzer]

Cohlene, Terri. Clamshell Boy. (1990). Target Audience: 5-11 years old. The hero in this folktale is called Clamshell boy. The story takes place in the Pacific Northwest, along a cape near Vancouver Island, home to the Makah tribe. The illustrations are indigenous of the area reflecting the cool blue waters and the forever green surroundings. The artwork is simplistic excepting the tribal designs in the clothing, the baskets, and the canoes. The women of the tribe are collecting clams along the beach while their daughters are playing together in the warmth of the sun. When it is time to return to their village, one daughter, named Salmonberry, pleads, "but the sun still hovers over the water, let us stay a bit longer." Salmonberry's mother reminds her that the feared giant Basket Woman would be wandering the shore soon, looking for children to satisfy her large appetite. Salmonberry didn't believe there was such a woman, she had certainly never seen her. She was pleased when her mother relented and said she must be home before the sun sleeps. Salmonberry and her friends soon learned that they should have listened to their elders. The giant Basket Woman does appear along the shore and tricks them into getting inside her wide basket so she can get them home faster. Salmonberry is the first to notice that they are not traveling in the direction of their village, but it is too late, they are captive inside the basket. When the girls do not return home before the sun went to sleep, Salmonberry's mother ventures into the forest searching for them, fearing the worst. When she realized her search was hopeless she began to cry. Her tears fell onto an open clamshell and a life form was gradually brought forth. It grew immediately from a baby into a handsome young boy. Called from the spirit of the shell, Clamshell boy introduces himself to the grief stricken mother. He asks why she is crying. She mournfully explains what she believes has happened to the girls. He takes her safely back to the village where he convinces the chief that his spirit is strong and he can rescue the children. The chief gives him a canoe to begin his search. The boy eventually finds the evil Basket Woman and this time he tricks her. He flatters her and she leans over a cliff to view herself in the reflection of the water below. Clamshell boy encourages her to lean over just enough that her weight makes part of the cliff break off, sending her to her death below. He then follows her path back to her home in the woods and finds the girls tied up to the walls. Everyone is jubilant upon their return to the village and Clamshell boy is recognized as their hero at their celebration of potlatch. I like this story because there is a lesson to be learned and the illustrations show the beauty of a simple life. I think children could also probably relate to times when they didn't listen to their parents and learned a lesson the hard way.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book from the Native American Legends series - this one about the Makah people of the Pacific Northwest. Be ware the Basket Woman!

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a favorite Native American story

[Hakeem Bashir]

“Retells the legend of Clamshell boy, who rescues a captured group of children from the dreaded wild women, basket women includes information on the customs and lifestyles of the Makkah Indians.

Myth about basket women is mean and will hurt you if she catches you. As the story progress, we learned that basket women feel sad that people spread these lies about her. She offers to help the children return home safely to their village in order to clear her name. This turns out to be a trick by basket women to get the girls to climb into her basket. She took them to her house to eat them.
The children learned after being captured by basket women that they should be listened to their elders because their wisdom is far greater than theirs.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another folktale, this one that shows some with and cleverness in the case of Clamshell boy who goes to rescue his sister Salmonberry when she's captured by Basket Woman. This one had all the plot a good legend ought to have, with a solid lesson at the end. Very enjoyable and very well told. I think Terri Cohlene is amazing when it comes to telling these stories, and I wish she would do more of them!

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written story with vivid graphics. It was interesting to read the information about the Makah (Kweedishchaaht-People of the Cape). Of surprise to me was that slavery was a sign of wealth for this tribe and war parties were sent out to capture slaves from other tribes.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Longer text with some engaging pictures. Folktales are good to use when teaching morals or the lesson of the story. Also, this legend gives some insight into the native american culture. Would go well as an extension to a social studies unit on the tribes in North America.

[Elizabeth Root · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Makah Legend depicts a boy who saves a group of children from the Basket Woman. I used this text as a jump off last year when students formed groups and wrote their own folktale/legends.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

coming of age legend with historical and cultural information

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grandma - you should see if your library has any of these books. A series of Native American legends written/illustrated for kids.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makah tribe legend.

[Kaethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the books in this series: the Native American myth followed by more information on the tribe. The art, the production, it just all appeals to me.

[Kathleen O'Nan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lovely Makah legend was a joy to read. Set like a children's book, with lovely illustrations, I really liked this fable.