Baby Rattlesnake

by Te Ata, Mira Reisberg (Illustrator), Lynn Moroney (Adapter)

Baby Rattlesnake cries and cries for a rattle just like his big brother and sister have, but his parents tell him he’s still too young. His crying keeps the Rattlesnake People up all night, so finally his parents give in. Thrilled with his new power, he mischievously uses his rattle to scare little animals. He grows bolder and bolder, till one day he scares the wrong creature. Adapted from a Chickasaw tale, this English-only version of this story-time favorite provides a witty lesson in the value of self-control that all young readers can relate to. Mira Reisberg’s appealing illustrations vividly depict the story’s Southwestern setting.

Genres: Picture Books, Native American, Animals, Childrens, Folklore, Indigenous, Folk Tales

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

TE ATA (1895-1995)

A traditional Native storyteller, Te Ata, also known as Mary Frances Thompson Fisher, was born in Emet, Chickasaw Nation, near Tishomingo, on December 3, 1895. Her parents were members of the Chickasaw Nation. Her father, T.B. Thompson, the last treasurer of the Chickasaw Nation, operated stores in Tishomingo. Te Ata's uncle, Douglas H. Johnston, was the last governor of the old Chickasaw Nation.

Mary Thompson attended Bloomfield Academy in the far southeast corner of Johnston County. Later she attended high school in Tishomingo, encountering "white" children for the first time. In school at Tishomingo Te Ata found a role model in teacher Muriel Wright. Later attending Oklahoma College for Women (now the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma), in Chickasha, she acquired another mentor, Francis Densmore Davis, an active researcher and writer on Indian cultures. Davis recognized the young woman's talent for drama, and soon Mary began to use the name Te Ata, reflecting her Indian heritage.

Te Ata worked on a Chautauqua circuit managed out of St. Louis, and she began to develop her style of storytelling using various American Indian sources. Her readings, storytelling, and dance were often accompanied by classical and other music played on piano. She eventually also used small drums, rattles, and other common, traditional instruments. With Davis's encouragement she attended Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for one year. From Pittsburgh she moved to New York City where she worked in theater and entertained the city's social elite. There Te Ata met Clyde Fisher, a naturalist and eventual curator of the Hayden Planetarium, and they married in 1933.

In 1933 Te Ata performed for the first state dinner given by Pres. Franklin Roosevelt. Many of her performances in the 1930s were at summer camps throughout New England and New York state. In 1939 she performed again for the Roosevelts at their home in Hyde Park, New York, on the occasion of a state visit by the king and queen of Great Britain. Later, Te Ata toured Europe, giving performances for royal families and heads of state. The Fishers traveled in South America and extensively in the United States, often observing Native ceremonies and learning different traditions. Te Ata incorporated these experiences in performances later in her storytelling.

In 1958 Te Ata was recognized by the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, and in 1976 she received the Governor's Award (Oklahoma), and was named Woman of the Year by The Ladies Home Journal. Her performances are preserved in a c. 1971 film, God's Drum, and on a video recording of a storytelling festival sponsored by the Oklahoma City Arts Council. She died in Oklahoma City on October 26, 1995. Te Ata Fisher's influence on the appreciation of Native traditions and the art of storytelling is an enduring legacy. Her name, Te Ata, means "Bearer of the Morning." She preserved and promoted great affection for old ways, American Indians, and natural beauty.

Reviews

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely read aloud for storytime, enhanced by the baby rattlesnake puppet that came with it, but wonderful without it too. Baby Rattlesnake is a delightful and humorous Native American tale described on the back of the book as a "teaching tale about what happens when you get something before you are ready for it." The beautiful and colorful illustrations are by Mira Reisberg, who loved the story and said, "I can identify with the loveable brat, and the best part is that he is forgiven with big rattlesnake hugs." Reisberg's enthusiasm for the story shines through in all her illustrations and her rattlesnake hug picture is a perfect ending to the tale.

On the back of the book, there is a photo and interesting information about Te Ata, a renowned Chickasaw storyteller from Oklahoma who originally told this story, as well as how this book came to be written through the perseverance of Lynn Moroney, herself part Native American. The children were always impressed when I told them that Te Ata had told stories to the President of the United States (Franklin Roosevelt) and the King and Queen of England.

Lynn Moroney said in an interview that Baby Rattlesnake is actually a Pawnee tale, not Chickasaw.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Baby Rattlesnake longs for a rattle in this retelling of a Native American folktale, refusing to be comforted by the assurances of his parents, his siblings, and the Rattlesnake People that he will grow into one. Finally, fed up with his constant crying, his people give him what he wants, but his irresponsible use of the rattle leads to disaster...

Based upon an oral telling of this tale done by Chickasaw actress and storyteller Te Ata, Lynn Moroney's adaptation is a cautionary tale about the dangers of possessing abilities for which one is not ready. The illustrations by Veg Reisberg are colorful, and rather cartoon-like. A brief but entertaining little book, perfect for young readers with an interest in Native American folklore, although I do wish that the specific origin of the tale had been discussed - should I assume it is Chickasaw, because Ata was?

[Melissa]

Of course my rating for this book is biased. I remember my Great Aunt TeAta sharing many a Native American tale, and when I read this book I hear it in her voice. The illustrations in this book are wonderfully colorful. My kids and I laugh at Prairie Dog's illustrated reaction to Baby Rattlesnake. This book is a great way to share the American Native gift of storytelling with your child.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Godson loves this book has me read it everytime I see him which is weekly 😂

[Debra Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this delightful retelling of Te Ata folktale of Baby Rattlesnake, Baby Rattlesnake is too edger to get his rattle. Once getting his rattle he starts to play tricks on the other animals. He finally loses he rattle to chiefs daughter.

I love that the illustrations are bright, vibrant, and represent the desert colors. I like that each one is framed, almost as if each one could be it's own wall hanging. I also like you could use each picture as a cut out and have children retell the story without the written words.

By allowing Lynn Moroney to retell this story Te Ata has made sure that generations to come will fall in love with Baby Rattlesnake and his tale.

[S10_Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Baby Rattlesnake follows baby rattlesnake and his yearning for a rattle, of course. He whines and whines to his parents for his rattle, so loud he bothers the whole snake community. 'He kept the Rattlesnake People awake all night.' And eventually they give in and get him a makeshift rattle. He uses the rattle primarily to scare other animals. Eventually, he uses his new addition to try to scare the chief's daughter. She responds by stepping on him and breaking his rattle (and we never find out from what material rattlesnakes fashioned a rattle). He returns to his parents and they console him.

So I definitely don't think this picture book has the best lessons for young kids. It teaches that if one consistently whines, one's parents will cave in and get the kid what he wants. And if a kid makes an ill-advised decision, his parents will console him without any repercussions. The portrayal of Native Americans is virtually non-existent. The chief's daughter appears only to step on the rattlesnake, so the only view of Native Americans we receive is a violent one.

The illustrations are not phenomenal, but they serve their purpose of aiding the narrative move forward. But I would not immediately recommend this to kids K-3, as there is nothing exceptional in terms of message, illustrations, or representation of new cultures.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I can appreciate this story as a piece of Indian folklore and a cautionary tale against misusing gifts, I didn't particularly like the way it was related. That the baby rattlesnake learned his lesson by having his tail crushed by the girl he meant to scare seemed like the wrong message to send to children, both because of the violence inherent in crushing anything and especially because, in real-life, stepping on a rattlesnake's tail would result in a painful, perhaps fatal, bite.

I also didn't really care for the illustrations. They were okay for the most part, but since the story revolved around the baby's desire for a tail of his own, I wish the tails had been drawn to more closely resemble a rattlesnake's tail. As they were, they looked to me more like fir trees.

And lastly, I thought the ending was weak. I really didn't like that Baby Rattlesnake didn't learn his lesson, but only cried his story to his family and received hugs in exchange.

I would have given this book just one star, but given that I think it would have been better as the original oral tale it was (and can appreciate that it started out that way), I gave it two.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite books to use for my November Native American story time. I tell it with a rattle to make the sound affects. It seems to hold everyone's attention from 2's and up. 11/14/12

Used again 2012. 11/28/12

I had a small group this year so I passed out shakers to the kids so they could shake with me. There was one who just shook, but most were good with shaking when I shook my rattle. 11/12/13

Used with a second grade class.

Used with PreK 4 and K in outreach.

Used in Preschool Story Time. It was a small, though somewhat young group so I passed out rattles to have them participate with the story and it went over okay. 11/13/14

Had a day care come for story time and this went over pretty well with just me using a rattle when the baby rattlesnake shook its tail. 11/17/15

Too long for the toddlers, but it worked out. I just passed out shakers and those too young were just happy with them, while the appropriate aged children came up and listened to the story.

[Mely · Rating 2 out of 5]

This really didn't do it for us. Thought Baby Rattlesnake was a bit annoying. The moral of the story could have been executed better.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like reading Native American tales, but this one fell flat for me. It was probably my least favorite.

This is about Baby Rattlesnake, who cries because he's too young to have a rattle, like his parents, brother and sister. The council of rattlesnakes get together, and because they're so tired of hearing him cry, they decide to give him a rattle.
I know this is a kid's tale, and not realistic, but I wondered how his parents just gave him a rattle? He was too young to have one, so I thought they’d give him a fake rattle, but this looked like a real rattle all the other rattlesnakes had.

He uses his rattle to scare animals, and his family warns him not to misuse his rattle like that. He asks how he can recognize a chief's daughter because he wants to scare one, and runs off...or slithers off before his parents can warn him not to.
I found the mention of the chiefs daughter to be random. All of a sudden baby rattlesnake up and asks how to tell a chiefs daughter so he can scare her. I didn't know they knew who people were, especially a chief or their family.

He scares the chief's daughter, and she ends up stepping on his rattle, breaking it. He runs home, making his family think he hurt his rattle on accident, when that’s not what happened. So he tricks them basically and then gets coddled for it.

I got to the end of the book and saw it was the last page and I said WHAT?!? I kept flipping back and forth thinking this couldn’t be the last page.

How did he learn a lesson?! It didn’t show what lesson he had learned. He ran home and got coddled by his family and then it just ended! No saying he wouldn’t scare animals or people with his rattle anymore. Nothing.

Baby Rattlesnake was annoying throughout the whole story, right up to the end. I felt he never really learned his lesson, and was never redeemed in my eyes.


There's some info on the original author, Te Ata, the author of this book, and the illustrator at the end:
Te Ata means “Bearer of the Morning” and she was a famous Chickasaw storyteller from Oklahoma. Born in 1897, she shared stories in the US and Europe for over 65 years,& even performed at the White House during the Roosevelt administration. This story was one of Te Ata’s favorite tales.

Te, after seeing this book's author, Lynn Moroney, share her own stories, finally gave her permission to write her own version of this story.

This story wasn’t that great if I’m being honest. I wondered what the original tale was like. Perhaps it’s better.
It’s not a lesson if you don’t acknowledge that you’ve learned a lesson, & agree you won’t do something anymore.

This did make rattlesnakes look cute, with their different colors& patterns, not the scary creatures they are in real life.
Not as good as most Native American tales can be.

The Spanish translations threw me off because I was sure this was a Native American tale. While good for people to be able to translate, it was odd because this wasn’t a Hispanic tale. It would be cool to have been in Native American dialect.
Also wasn’t crazy about the illustration style.

I did think the image of baby rattlesnake when he’d been stepped on was funny. His eyes were pinwheels, with swirls in them to show he was dazed. That was humorous-looking. Other than that, I didn't enjoy this.

[Children's Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite like books about brats so I enjoyed this book.

The illustrations are very nice, although the 3 of the "animal people" weren't as well drawn as the snakes. I was confused about what kind of animal the first animal was, it looked a bit like a kangaroo to me, I didn't have a clue what the last one was but the text mentions jack rabbit and the last one was a prairie dog. The baby snake scared the 3 animals and it looks the dog got so frightened that he pooped. Funny thing to notice for kids, apart from the expressions on the animal faces.

It's a good book for young children, 3-5. The plot is simple, baby rattlesnake keeps crying and crying like a baby which should amuse the oh-so-grown-up 3-5-year-olds because of course, they think they are not babyish at all. And the rattle noises in the form of "Ch-ch-ch Ch-ch-ch!" will be fun for little ones to hear over and over, or you can use a real rattle.

The ending was a little abrupt.

I like the last page explaining where the story originated.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adults and children alike will identify with the annoying begging of baby rattlesnake for a rattle. Despite all warnings that he is not mature enough for a rattle, the elders finally give in. Results are predictably disasterous. Despite this, his family comforts him when he returns home chastened.
The fable is told by a Native American storyteller and ends without explicitly stating a moral. Use as a writing prompt in a folk literature unit.

[SaraKat · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book from my school's pillars of character reading list on the topic of responsibility. This baby snake whines until he gets a rattle before he is ready for it and uses it irresponsibly and it gets him in trouble. Don't get this book for any information about rattlesnakes, they are just cute characters and not portrayed realistically. And they don't eat, I guess. :) It's cute.

[Kaylynn Johnsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Baby Rattlesnake doesn't have a rattle because he is too young. His cries keep the elders up all night, they consent and give him a rattle. He misuses it. He scared animals and laughs. He scares the Chief's daughter and she stomps on his rattle breaking it.

[Milton Louie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Baby wants a rattle. B-

[LaDow Picture · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending is rather abrupt. Good story otherwise.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read aloud book. I really enjoyed the story and illustrations. Use shaky eggs or maracas so kids can rattle along with the rattlesnake.

[Christol Kjome · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the children in our family loved this book, as did all the story times I’ve read it at. I make sure they have something to shake when the rattle happens :)

[Kris Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Native American children’s picturebook, Baby Rattlesnake, is an oral folktale story from a Chickasaw Indian, Te Ata. The author is Lynn Moroney, who is of mixed race, Indian and white. The illustrator is Mira Reisberg from Australia. This book is intended for Primary and Intermediate readers. No awards were distributed to the author for writing this book. I rated this book as a four.

Basically, the plot of Baby Rattlesnake is about wishing and obtaining something immaturely. In the story, a baby rattlesnake is sad due to his lack of rattles, unlike his other siblings. After long temper tantrums and crying spells, the elders give the baby rattlesnake his rattles. Even though the baby rattlesnake was warned, the baby rattlesnake decides to scare the Chief’s daughter, who becomes scared and steps on the baby rattlesnakes rattles crushing them to pieces.

The illustrations in Baby Rattlesnake show realistic reptile forms and its environment; however the snake’s colors are unrealistic. The rattlesnake’s colors are bright as a rainbow. Some of the snakes are wearing hats and make-up. When discussing a poisonous snake, the unrealistic snake color’s provides less tension to a younger child. Day and night time are illustrated. The story takes place on a hot desert. The desert scenes are true to life with pictures of cactus, rocks, sand, mountains, lizards, rabbits, turtles, and prairie dogs. In the majority of the book, the text is written on the left hand page, while the illustrations are located on the right hand page. However, underneath the text, there is a small lizard walking across the page leaving footprints. On the page with the illustrations, each drawing is framed like a picture hanging on a wall. Each frame contains different designs. Some frames have abstract art only, while other frames have abstract art combined with objects. Some of the objects on the frames are ants, frogs, lizards, hot chili peppers, flowers, and stars.

Baby Rattlesnake is an appropriate recommendation for children because of its unrealistic snake coloring and crying of a dangerous reptile. The message learned is to wait for important things to come at the right time and don’t try to hurry up the process. Also, children will understand that the rattlesnake’s crying explains reptiles have feelings too. A lesson for adults is to not give into a child’s temper tantrums prematurely. Baby Rattlesnake is an educational book for teachers to share in a classroom because of the way the text and illustrations are designed. As children gather around in circle time, the teacher can read the text, while the children are looking at the illustrations on the next page. This structured approach allows children to remain undistracted when listening to the story.

[Paige Cedergreen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this folktale, it was from a Navajo folk tribe. This fable had a very important message for young children. I think children can relate to this book because even though they don't relate to being a rattlesnake, most kids had a toy they took everywhere with them that they would be devastated if they lost/ it broke.

I would read this book aloud to a kindergarten class. The vocabulary and syntax is pretty basic so it would not be challenging enough to the older grade levels. Also, I feel like kindergarten is a year where students are learning all about respecting others, listening to adults, and overall how to behave. It also reinforces the values that parents want them to know, that it is important to respect authority and listen to the advice they give you because they know better. It also shows students the consequences of their actions, if they are careless with their belongings than things will get lost/stolen/or broken. This could be used even on one of the first days of class to teach kids to respect their classroom materials and their classmates things.

I would recommend this as an independent reading book for a kindergartener, especially one who likes animals. It has a good lesson in the story that kids would enjoy reading about because it includes an animal with similar characteristics (age appropriate wise).

I would use this book to teach vocabulary because while it may seem like basic vocabulary to someone my age, to a kindergartener some of these words would be hard. Going through the challenging words and making sure students understood the words and therefore the story would be beneficial for students. It will also teach them to slow down their reading when they are older to make sure that they understand.

[Jayme]

Summary: This book is about a baby rattlesnake who desperately wants his rattle. The rules are that he has to wait until he is older, but he begs his family to give it to him early. His parents warn him that he cannot have his rattle yet because he will get into trouble and learn the lesson the hard way. Eventually, they decided he could have his rattle but told him to be careful. After he received his rattle he had so much fun scaring people and thought it was hilarious. His parents told him to stop acting foolish but he didn't listen. He came up with the idea to scare the Chief's daughter and when he finally got the opportunity she screamed and stepped on his tail, shattering it into a million pieces. Now, he had learned his lesson.


Told by: Te Ata

Adapted by: Lynn Moroney

Illustrated by: Mira Reisberg; The illustrator does a great job at using various bright colors to catch the reader's eye.

Audience: k-3

Genre: Children's picture book

Publisher:

Awards:

Use: The teacher could read the story aloud to students and then have them further explore the meaning behind it. For example, students could do a writing about something they really want but know they cannot have until they are older and more mature. This will also get their imaginations brewing with new ideas.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Baby Rattlesnake" by Te Ata was a very cute and colorful book. The pictures tell a lot and they capture your eye. This would be a great book to read to the little ones in the classroom or even at home.
THe story starts with a baby rattlesnake who is really sad he does not have a rattle like everyone else in his family and in the town. He cries a lot and that annoys everyone greatly. The town deides to have a council meeting to decide what to do. They all finally decide to give him one, but when they do, he begins to use it for all the wrong reasons. He thinks it is especially funny to scare all the amimal people. One day he asks his parents how he will be able to know when he sees a chief's daughter. His parents tell him that she will be beautiful with her head held high and her dress very neat and pretty. He goes running off and decides to scare her when he sees her. He thinks it will be the best trick to play on anyone but little does he know that because of this trick he looses his beautiful rattle because she steps on him and crushes it to pieces. Baby rattlesnake then learns his lesson that it is not very nice to do such things to other people. And baby rattlesnake from then on stays close to his mama and papa, promising to not do so anymore.
This book was so cute! I simply loved it! I reccomend it because its short and has a moral and lesson behind it.

[Katee]

Summary: This is about a baby snake who wants a rattle. But his parents tell him that he's too young for a rattle. So the baby snake just cries and cries so no one is able to sleep. The snakes then gather together to decide if they should give him a rattle or not so they can get some sleep. They decided to give him a rattle and the baby snake was overjoyed. He went around scaring all the animals. They were not pleased. Then one day he asked his parents who the chiefs daughter was so he could scare her too. His parents warned him not to scare her or something bad would happen, but he went and did it anyway. She sure did get scared, but she stepped on his rattle and broke it! So he realized that he wasn't ready for a rattle and went home to be with his family.


Age: 1st-2nd grade


Use: I was thinking maybe have a group activity. Ask questions like, do you think that the baby snake was ready for the rattle?, Was it nice of the baby snake to scare everyone?..Or maybe have them write about answers to these questions.

Genre: Picture book

Topic: Wanting something you're not ready for, self control

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: Baby Rattlesnake cries and cries for a rattle just like his big brother and sister have, but his parents tell him he’s still too young. His crying keeps the Rattlesnake People up all night, so finally his parents give in. Thrilled with his new power, he mischievously uses his rattle to scare little animals. He grows bolder and bolder, till one day he scares the wrong creature.

Written by Te Ata
Published in 2006 by Children's Book Press

Recommendations/Awards: LLED Group Read

Audience: Read together or read alone: grades K-4

Genre: Picture Book

Illustrations: The illustrations were very appealing to the reader. The illustrator adds bright colors to catch the reader's attention. I think that many children would also find the story appealing because of the illustrations

Uses: This book would be a great book to use for independent reading, paired reading, or for a read aloud. It will teach the children a lesson about the value of self-control. Many children try to do things at an age where they aren't ready. This colorful story will demonstrate this lesson with a character they can relate to.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it's interesting that most of the criticisms of this book are from people who don't like the parts of the story that are very traditional. Some modern readers want to change the story to reflect modern ideas, rather than teaching the ideas and beliefs of the culture in which the tale originated.
For instance, some readers object to children being exposed to the one violent act in the story, or to the unrealistic results of that act. Sure, but are folktales required to be both pacifistic and scientifically accurate, when both would get in the way of the actual story being told? I'd be greatly disappointed if the answer ever became "yes."
I was not really thrilled by the artwork for the book, which did funny things to snake anatomy, but otherwise the book was a real treat. This retelling of a traditional Chickasaw tale for modern children was very interesting, and subtly teaches the idea that sometimes young children are not ready for the responsibilities that go with things that older kids are allowed to do.
With the new film about Te Ata coming out soon, I hope that more attention will be directed to this remarkable storyteller.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: Baby Rattlesnake wants a rattle that's just like his big brother and sister's in this native American cautionary tale. The young snake makes such a ruckus that the elders decide to give in to him, even though he is still too young to use his rattle wisely. As the elders predict, Baby Rattlesnake creates mischief with his new power. He meets his match, however, when he tries to scare the chief's daughter, who is as strong and decisive as she is beautiful and proud. Humbled and without his rattle, the little snake returns to his forgiving family. Adapted from the work of Te Ata, a Chickasaw storyteller now in her 90s, the story is fast moving, dramatic, and economically told. The collage and cartoonlike paintings are cluttered, but the desert country colors are deftly combined to make the book bright and attractive. This short tale will be a welcomed addition to story hour collections.(Thanks Amazon)

Written By: Te Ata

Audience: Grades K-3

Social Issues: Patience

Uses: Read Aloud, Shared Reading, Guided Reading

Award/Recommended By: Kirstin Bratt Award

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a folktale that was told by Chickasaw storyteller Te Ata. It tells the story of a baby rattlesnake who is given a rattle early on in life because he insists on having one like his older siblings. The town elects to give him a rattle--although he is immature--because he is being so annoying. Baby Rattlesnake, of course, doesn't use his rattle wisely and likes to play tricks on the other desert animals. He learns his lesson in the end, however.

I used the Spanish version of this story for a Spanish story time about snakes. I used the English version for bilingual story time. To make this story more story time-friendly, I adapted it by summarizing some of the pages. What was neat about the snake program was that I had a small rattlesnake rattle my mother-in-law had given me (she lives in WA, and there are many rattlesnakes on the property there) that I was able to use during the Baby Rattlesnake story. I also was able to show the kids the rattle up close after story time and give interested kids a try at shaking it.

[Teeny Probst · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: Baby Rattlesnake is a Native American tale about a baby rattlesnake that continuously cries because his tail does not have a rattle like his mother, father, brother, and sister. His cries keep the rattlesnake community up day and night, until the council decides to give him his very own rattle. Although, he does not use his rattle wisely and ends up without it in the end.

Told by: Te Ata
Adapted by: Lynn Moroney
Illustrated by: Mire Reisberg

Audience: K-3rd grade (Late- Early reader)
Genre: folklore children’s picture book

Illustrations: Mira Reisberg’s illustrations perfectly depict the Southwestern setting. Her use of a variety of colors, both dark and bright, easily attracts a reader.

Usage: This particular book can be used in a variety of setting in the classroom including independent reading, guided reading, and reading out loud. A teacher could easily introduce such a book when learning about Native Americans, snakes, or amphibians.

[Mallori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: This story is about a young rattlesnake who wants his rattle before it is time to get it. He will not let up until he gets it. Finally, the town of rattlesnakes give him his rattle and baby rattlesnake learns a great life lesson with the help of his rattle.

Reading Level: Ages 4-8

Genre: Picture Book

Uses: Guided Reading, Independent Reading, Read-Aloud, Shared Reading

Social Issues: This book teaches children that there are always consequences to wanting to grow up fast. Lessons need to be learned and mistakes need to be made. Living needs to be done before all privileges can be given.

Literary Elements: Moroney uses a lot of dialogue throughout the whole book which engages students and allows them to see how the spoken language is written.

Text & Image: The text and illustrations connect very well throughout the book which helps the reader follow along easily. The illustrations are also very colorful and detailed which grabs the reader's attention.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary:
From School Library Journal
"Baby Rattlesnake wants a rattle that's just like his big brother and sister's in this native American cautionary tale. The young snake makes such a ruckus that the elders decide to give in to him, even though he is still too young to use his rattle wisely. As the elders predict, Baby Rattlesnake creates mischief with his new power. He meets his match, however, when he tries to scare the chief's daughter, who is as strong and decisive as she is beautiful and proud. Humbled and without his rattle, the little snake returns to his forgiving family. Adapted from the work of Te Ata, a Chickasaw storyteller now in her 90s, the story is fast moving, dramatic, and economically told.

Theme: Patience

Curricular Use: Read Aloud, Guided Reading, Shared Reading, Independent Reading

Level: ages 4-8

Illustrations: Cartoonlike, colorful, bright, supportive, fun