The Grandfather and Grandmother Bear Stories: Volumes 1-4

This first collection of Grandfather and Grandmother Bear stories is my attempt to honor and emulate one of the finest and oldest storytelling traditions in the history of North America. Native American "animal stories" and "lodge fire stories" are truly the best kept secret in American literature. Imagine yourself as a Native American child at the turn of the century as Chief War Eagle invited you and the other children of his tribe into his lodge for a bedtime story. Sitting around the fire, listening with rapt attention, the smoky firelight flickering delightedly as if it were listening too, you would hear stories passed down through the generations, told by the most important person in your village. You would learn about Wolf and Beaver, and how Buzzard got his bumpy red head. You would hear about creation and how the human people were given fire thanks to the cleverness of Grandmother Spider and the practical good sense of Father Bear. Yes, stories of the "animal people" would be your primer about how to grow into a worthy human being, but not without the perennial high jinks of "tricksters" like Rabbit and Coyote! The animal people would teach you honesty, generosity, good manners, respect for your elders, and best of all, a host of great examples of problem solving and "thinking outside the box."