Buffalo Bird Girl: A Hidatsa Story

(Paperback)

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Description

This fascinating picture book biography tells the childhood story of Buffalo Bird Woman - a Hidatsa Indian born around 1839. Through her true story, readers learn what it was like to be part of this Native American community, which lived along the Missouri River in the Dakotas, a society that depended on agriculture for food and survival rather than hunting. Using original artwork and archival photographs, award-winning author/illustrator S. D. Nelson has captured the spirit of Buffalo Bird Girl and her lost way of life. The book includes a bibliography and an index, as well as an author's note and timeline of events.

Awards and praise for Buffalo Bird Girl
Gelett Burgess Award
CCBC Choices Book, Biography
Kirkus starred review
SLJ starred review

Reviews

**STARRED REVIEW**
"The extraordinary illustration of this handsome volume begins with the endpaper maps and features acrylic paintings of the Hidatsa world reminiscent of traditional Plains Indian art. Pencil drawings and relevant, carefully labeled photographs round out the exquisite design. All the artwork both supports and adds to the text. An extensive authors note and timeline supplement this beautiful tribute."

* Kirkus Reviews, starred review *

**STARRED REVIEW**
"This is a lovely and graceful introduction to a way of life that persists despite cultural obstacles and the march of time."

* School Library Journal, starred review *
Nelson's quiet, respectful tone capably balances the factual details of daily life in the Hidatsa tribe with the obvious joy and nostalgia Buffalo Bird Girl feels toward her childhood. * The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books *
"As a writer, storyteller, and traditional artist of the Sioux people, his perspective is genuine and effectively portrayed. This book would be enjoyable for anyone interested in history, but would also be an effective resource in the classroom to support the curriculum. * Library Media Connection *
Nelson's acrylic paintings and b&w pencil drawings are intriguingly interlaced with the photographs, contrasting Native American figures in blunt profile with harvest colors and background textures that mimic dried spears of grass, leather skins, and basket weaves. * Publishers Weekly *

Author Bio

S. D. Nelson is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in the Dakotas. He is the award-winning author and illustrator of numerous childrens books, including Black Elks Vision, Gift Horse, Coyote Christmas, and The Star People. He lives in Flagstaff, Arizona.