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Gift Horse: A Lakota Story
A Lakota boy comes of age and finds his courage in this picture book from award-winning author and illustrator S. D. Nelson
When Flying Cloud’s father gives him a Gift Horse, marking the beginning of his journey to manhood, Flying Cloud names the horse Storm. The two become they spend their days riding across the prairie, hunting deer, and roughhousing with the other boys and their horses. But as Flying Cloud becomes a man, his life takes a serious He must now learn the ways of his people and what it means to be a Lakota warrior. So when enemies of the Lakota steal many of the tribe’s horses—including Storm—Flying Cloud must join the rescue party. Will he prove he has the courage to become a true Warrior?
The bold, full-color illustrations bring to life this exciting coming-of-age tale from award-winning creator and member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe S. D. Nelson and provide a unique look into the lives of the Lakota during the nineteenth century. Backmatter includes a brief summary of the Lakota history.
When Flying Cloud’s father gives him a Gift Horse, marking the beginning of his journey to manhood, Flying Cloud names the horse Storm. The two become they spend their days riding across the prairie, hunting deer, and roughhousing with the other boys and their horses. But as Flying Cloud becomes a man, his life takes a serious He must now learn the ways of his people and what it means to be a Lakota warrior. So when enemies of the Lakota steal many of the tribe’s horses—including Storm—Flying Cloud must join the rescue party. Will he prove he has the courage to become a true Warrior?
The bold, full-color illustrations bring to life this exciting coming-of-age tale from award-winning creator and member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe S. D. Nelson and provide a unique look into the lives of the Lakota during the nineteenth century. Backmatter includes a brief summary of the Lakota history.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 1999
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83 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 16, 2016
When I was paging through this book I was immediately captivated by the illustrations. The illustrations are vivid, engaging, and tell a story. Then when I read the book, I was captivated by it's beautiful language. I had never read this book before but I have throughly enjoyed it. I will be reading this in my future classrooms because it shows many characteristics including courage.
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December 21, 2013This book tells the coming-of-age story of a young Lakota boy who is given a horse to begin his transition from a child to a courageous and skilled Lakota Warrior. The book is illustrated with bold, colorful figures that are “inspired by the style of the early Plains Indians”.
The main characters are Flying Cloud, our Lakota hero, and Storm, his faithful horse and best friend. Flying Cloud and Storm are interconnected throughout the story and face challenges together. When Flying Cloud is careless while hunting deer and gets lost in a blizzard, Storm guides him back home to safety. With Flying Cloud on his back, Storm charges into a stampeding herd of buffalo so Flying Cloud can shoot and kill his first buffalo. During the buffalo hunt, Storm and Flying Cloud rescue a helpless hunter from a buffalo attack. When Storm and other horses are stolen by Crow horse thieves, Flying Cloud knows he must prove his own loyalty and rescue his beloved friend. Flying Cloud prays to Wakan Tanka, the Great Spirit who is in all things, to return Storm safely. After a daring rescue during a violent thunderstorm, Flying Cloud and Storm are reunited. Upon their return home, Flying Cloud is given the shirt of a Lakota Warrior, with an image of Storm displayed proudly on the chest.
This story is told from a first person perspective in the style of oral history/storytelling. We know that the storyteller is a grown, possibly old man, because the opening line of the book is “The thing I remember most from my early days is a horse…a Gift Horse”.
The themes of the story are coming-of-age and loyalty. The story has spiritual elements throughout; Flying Cloud prays to Wakan Tanka, Father Sun, Sister Moon, and the Star People. He is guided through a cleansing rite of passage in the sweat lodge with his father, the men of the tribe, and the tribe’s medicine man, Old Yellow Bear. To prepare him further for becoming a man, Flying Cloud goes “on a journey of the spirit – a Vision Quest”.
This book is appropriate for children between the ages of 8 and 12. Many character-building themes are represented in this story: loyalty, friendship, responsibility, pride, and respect, to name a few. Reader’s Theater would be an excellent platform for students to practice oral language development in the storytelling format.
The main characters are Flying Cloud, our Lakota hero, and Storm, his faithful horse and best friend. Flying Cloud and Storm are interconnected throughout the story and face challenges together. When Flying Cloud is careless while hunting deer and gets lost in a blizzard, Storm guides him back home to safety. With Flying Cloud on his back, Storm charges into a stampeding herd of buffalo so Flying Cloud can shoot and kill his first buffalo. During the buffalo hunt, Storm and Flying Cloud rescue a helpless hunter from a buffalo attack. When Storm and other horses are stolen by Crow horse thieves, Flying Cloud knows he must prove his own loyalty and rescue his beloved friend. Flying Cloud prays to Wakan Tanka, the Great Spirit who is in all things, to return Storm safely. After a daring rescue during a violent thunderstorm, Flying Cloud and Storm are reunited. Upon their return home, Flying Cloud is given the shirt of a Lakota Warrior, with an image of Storm displayed proudly on the chest.
This story is told from a first person perspective in the style of oral history/storytelling. We know that the storyteller is a grown, possibly old man, because the opening line of the book is “The thing I remember most from my early days is a horse…a Gift Horse”.
The themes of the story are coming-of-age and loyalty. The story has spiritual elements throughout; Flying Cloud prays to Wakan Tanka, Father Sun, Sister Moon, and the Star People. He is guided through a cleansing rite of passage in the sweat lodge with his father, the men of the tribe, and the tribe’s medicine man, Old Yellow Bear. To prepare him further for becoming a man, Flying Cloud goes “on a journey of the spirit – a Vision Quest”.
This book is appropriate for children between the ages of 8 and 12. Many character-building themes are represented in this story: loyalty, friendship, responsibility, pride, and respect, to name a few. Reader’s Theater would be an excellent platform for students to practice oral language development in the storytelling format.
April 30, 2012
Fly Cloud is gifted a horse by his father to help Fly Cloud progress him into a man and a Lakota warrior. Fly Cloud went through the steps and traditions on becoming a man with his horse, Storm, at his side. Fly Cloud did become a man and warrior; also he and Storm had many years of adventure and happiness. I recommend for early elementary children Kindergarten through 2nd grade. Published 1999.
September 5, 2016
This is a simple picture book, but for some reason I really, really enjoyed reading it, have even considered buying a copy for myself. The bright illustrations and Native American culture were fascinating, especially since I've been digging deep into the topic lately.
November 30, 2010
The illustrations are stunning, but the narrative is rather age specific -- meant to connect with a specific age demographic narratively, if that makes sense.
December 7, 2010
This books has great pictures and is really engaging for students.
August 24, 2011
Gift Horse: A Lakota Story
how the big dogs came to the lakota
how the big dogs came to the lakota
July 6, 2012
beautiful book!
July 24, 2013
great native American j fiction!
August 2, 2013
4 stars for the fantastic art but 2 start for the story. It lacked an engaging quality and I quickly resorted to skimming and looking at the pictures.
January 18, 2016
Wonderful book.
December 19, 2017
A story of a strong young Lakota learning anf embracing his culture. The illustrations are truely magnificent.
December 26, 2019
This is the beautiful story that is lightly based on the life of S.D. Nelson's grandfather's life (it could have been great-grandfather, I'm not sure) and covers the unique bond between a young boy, soon to be man, and his horse. The love between horse and man leads to wonderful acts of bravery and heroism and is a true example of the connected-ness between all humans and all of nature. S.D. Nelson's work never fails to impress and amaze me.
May 29, 2020
S D Nelson is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe in the Dakotas. His debut children's book is stunning. Filled with spirituality and a deep respect for nature and all it's creatures his gorgeous art work in bold colors and words tell the compelling story of a young coming of age Lakota boy learning about his culture,
September 21, 2025
One of the first books I read to my granddaughter. I still enjoy reading it to my remedial reading group where I volunteer. It's a very detailed story for young readers. It's a beautiful story and the illustrations are beautiful.
November 29, 2020
With beautiful and colorful illustrations, S.D. Nelson has woven an wonderful story of the Lokota people.
August 28, 2021
I'm always on the lookout for stories highlighting indigenous people. This is the coming of age story of Flying Cloud and his horse Storm. The illustrations are beautiful.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews