What do you think?
Rate this book
Crazy Horse's Vision
Crazy Horse is among the best known Native American heroes. Yet many people do not know his boyhood name was Curly, inspired by his curly hair.
Curly was a leader even as a young boy, taming wild horses and hunting powerful buffalo. But all his bravery could not prepare him for the trouble he and the other Lakota Indians would face with the white settlers. Wanting to help his people after a fierce battle that mortally wounded Chief Conquering Bear, Curly defied traditional custom and risked his own life by running away, up to the hills, to seek a vision.
Renowned Abenaki author Joseph Bruchac tells a gripping and compelling story of how the dedicated young boy, Curly, grows into the brave warrior Crazy Horse. Sioux artist S.D. Nelson, with paintings inspired by the ledger book style of the Plains Indians, evokes the drama and tragedy of an important figure in American history.
Curly was a leader even as a young boy, taming wild horses and hunting powerful buffalo. But all his bravery could not prepare him for the trouble he and the other Lakota Indians would face with the white settlers. Wanting to help his people after a fierce battle that mortally wounded Chief Conquering Bear, Curly defied traditional custom and risked his own life by running away, up to the hills, to seek a vision.
Renowned Abenaki author Joseph Bruchac tells a gripping and compelling story of how the dedicated young boy, Curly, grows into the brave warrior Crazy Horse. Sioux artist S.D. Nelson, with paintings inspired by the ledger book style of the Plains Indians, evokes the drama and tragedy of an important figure in American history.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2000
About the author
Joseph Bruchac
290 books605 followersJoseph Bruchac lives with his wife, Carol, in the Adirondack mountain foothills town of Greenfield Center, New York, in the same house where his maternal grandparents raised him. Much of his writing draws on that land and his Abenaki ancestry. Although his American Indian heritage is only one part of an ethnic background that includes Slovak and English blood, those Native roots are the ones by which he has been most nourished. He, his younger sister Margaret, and his two grown sons, James and Jesse, continue to work extensively in projects involving the preservation of Abenaki culture, language and traditional Native skills, including performing traditional and contemporary Abenaki music with the Dawnland Singers.
He holds a B.A. from Cornell University, an M.A. in Literature and Creative Writing from Syracuse and a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the Union Institute of Ohio. His work as a educator includes eight years of directing a college program for Skidmore College inside a maximum security prison. With his wife, Carol, he is the founder and Co-Director of the Greenfield Review Literary Center and The Greenfield Review Press. He has edited a number of highly praised anthologies of contemporary poetry and fiction, including Songs from this Earth on Turtle's Back, Breaking Silence (winner of an American Book Award) and Returning the Gift. His poems, articles and stories have appeared in over 500 publications, from American Poetry Review, Cricket and Aboriginal Voices to National Geographic, Parabola and Smithsonian Magazine. He has authored more than 70 books for adults and children, including The First Strawberries, Keepers of the Earth (co-authored with Michael Caduto), Tell Me a Tale, When the Chenoo Howls (co-authored with his son, James), his autobiography Bowman's Store and such novels as Dawn Land, The Waters Between, Arrow Over the Door and The Heart of a Chief. Forthcoming titles include Squanto's Journey (Harcourt), a picture book, Sacajawea (Harcourt), an historical novel, Crazy Horse's Vision (Lee & Low), a picture book, and Pushing Up The Sky (Dial), a collection of plays for children. His honors include a Rockefeller Humanities fellowship, a National Endowment for the Arts Writing Fellowship for Poetry, the Cherokee Nation Prose Award, the Knickerbocker Award, the Hope S. Dean Award for Notable Achievement in Children's Literature and both the 1998 Writer of the Year Award and the 1998 Storyteller of the Year Award from the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers. In 1999, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native Writers Circle of the Americas.
As a professional teller of the traditional tales of the Adirondacks and the Native peoples of the Northeastern Woodlands, Joe Bruchac has performed widely in Europe and throughout the United States from Florida to Hawaii and has been featured at such events as the British Storytelling Festival and the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesboro, Tennessee. He has been a storyteller-in-residence for Native American organizations and schools throughout the continent, including the Institute of Alaska Native Arts and the Onondaga Nation School. He discusses Native culture and his books and does storytelling programs at dozens of elementary and secondary schools each year as a visiting author.
He holds a B.A. from Cornell University, an M.A. in Literature and Creative Writing from Syracuse and a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the Union Institute of Ohio. His work as a educator includes eight years of directing a college program for Skidmore College inside a maximum security prison. With his wife, Carol, he is the founder and Co-Director of the Greenfield Review Literary Center and The Greenfield Review Press. He has edited a number of highly praised anthologies of contemporary poetry and fiction, including Songs from this Earth on Turtle's Back, Breaking Silence (winner of an American Book Award) and Returning the Gift. His poems, articles and stories have appeared in over 500 publications, from American Poetry Review, Cricket and Aboriginal Voices to National Geographic, Parabola and Smithsonian Magazine. He has authored more than 70 books for adults and children, including The First Strawberries, Keepers of the Earth (co-authored with Michael Caduto), Tell Me a Tale, When the Chenoo Howls (co-authored with his son, James), his autobiography Bowman's Store and such novels as Dawn Land, The Waters Between, Arrow Over the Door and The Heart of a Chief. Forthcoming titles include Squanto's Journey (Harcourt), a picture book, Sacajawea (Harcourt), an historical novel, Crazy Horse's Vision (Lee & Low), a picture book, and Pushing Up The Sky (Dial), a collection of plays for children. His honors include a Rockefeller Humanities fellowship, a National Endowment for the Arts Writing Fellowship for Poetry, the Cherokee Nation Prose Award, the Knickerbocker Award, the Hope S. Dean Award for Notable Achievement in Children's Literature and both the 1998 Writer of the Year Award and the 1998 Storyteller of the Year Award from the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers. In 1999, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native Writers Circle of the Americas.
As a professional teller of the traditional tales of the Adirondacks and the Native peoples of the Northeastern Woodlands, Joe Bruchac has performed widely in Europe and throughout the United States from Florida to Hawaii and has been featured at such events as the British Storytelling Festival and the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesboro, Tennessee. He has been a storyteller-in-residence for Native American organizations and schools throughout the continent, including the Institute of Alaska Native Arts and the Onondaga Nation School. He discusses Native culture and his books and does storytelling programs at dozens of elementary and secondary schools each year as a visiting author.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
May 16, 2019
Joseph Bruchac, whose prolific output as a children's author seems to span every conceivable genre, here turns his attention to the tale of Crazy Horse, the famous Lakota leader. Focusing on his childhood, this picture-book "biography" relates the story of young Curly, a quiet Lakota boy who decides to seek a vision after he witnesses the murder of Conquering Bear by U.S. soldiers.
The winner of the "Parents' Choice Gold Award," Crazy Horse's Vision pairs Bruchac's skillful narrative with S.D. Nelson's fabulous illustrations. Inspired by the ledger book style of painting created by Lakota artists of the 19th century, Nelson's colorful palette and stylized forms are a breathtaking complement to the story. Well worth the time of any young reader interested in American history, or the story of the Lakota people.
The winner of the "Parents' Choice Gold Award," Crazy Horse's Vision pairs Bruchac's skillful narrative with S.D. Nelson's fabulous illustrations. Inspired by the ledger book style of painting created by Lakota artists of the 19th century, Nelson's colorful palette and stylized forms are a breathtaking complement to the story. Well worth the time of any young reader interested in American history, or the story of the Lakota people.
November 7, 2018
I thought the cover was cool, with the striking blue, and the eagle whose wing is also the horse's mane. I like the inside cover art, too, with old-style drawings of Indians and soldiers on horses.
Although I wonder why the NAs are painted blue and green.
Seeing the artwork, it's really not my style. I want the people to look realsitic. They're sort of abstract, made of shapes, with no mouth, and the eyes are black lines.
It looks like the men are painted blue and green, and the women yellow.
They say Crazy Horse was always different. He didn't cry when he was born, he studied the world with serious eyes. His hair was curly so they called him Curly, which I've heard before.
He would never be tall, and although he was small, he was a leader. He was quiet when others spoke, and when they hesitated, he acted.
The other boys would follow him when he said to. A Lakota boy could go wherever he wanted and Curly wanted to go everywhere. I had no idea Crazy Horse was Lakota!! I thought he was Comanche or Apache!!
He had his friends swim in the river and ride over the plains. They followed him up cliffs where eagles nested. He told them to be brave, that if they were, they could help their people.
When he was 11, his father brought home a wild horse and said whoever can ride it can have it. Curly got on and the horse couldn't throw him.
When he was 13, he went on his first buffalo hunt. Hunting buffalo was dangerous because if your horse stumbled and you fell, you could be trampled to death. It was hard to hit a running buffalo with an arrow. Even the best hunters had to shoot several arrows to bring down a buffalo.
I love the mentions of how they hunt like that. And how Curly guided his horse with his knees, and drew back his arrow. He gave his first buffalo to those in their camp who didn't have anyone to hunt for them, which was a really generous thing to do.
When things were realistic-looking--tipis, houses, wagons, the land, the eagles--it just didn't jive with the people.
He had a good life as a boy, but things were about to change. Wasichu settlers (huh??) started to pass through Lakota land. The army built a fort, saying it would keep peace between the Lakotas and the whites.
One day a white man's cow strayed into the camp, trampling their things. A warrior killed it, and the settler demanded that the army punish the Lakota. Chief Conquering Bear tried to avoid trouble by offering a mule and five horses. I think that more than covers it.
The white soldiers ignored the offer and fired their rifles and wagon guns at the Lakotas. Conquering Bear was mortally wounded.
Curly was there and saw what happened, and was deeply troubled. As he stood by the burial scaffolds, he wondered what would happen to his people, and who would defend them. He needed a vision to guide him.
On the shield by the burial scaffold, there's an image of a bear with an arrow pointing down his mouth, that was on tipis in The Girl Who Loved Horses. I guess they really did art like that.
Normally a boy would need a holy man to prepare himself for a vision quest. He would fast and purify himself in a sweat lodge before setting out.
Because he was in a hurry, Curly went by himself. He came upon an eagle-catching pit on the hills away from the camp. He climbed the hill, stripped off his clothes, and stepped down into the pit. He sat and prayed for a vision.
The page of him sitting in the eagle pit at night was pretty. Everything was blue, with the moon above.
He prayed to Wakan Tanka, "Great Mystery, even though I am small and pitiful, I want to help my people."
He stayed there for 3 days, without food or water, and saw no sign, no spirit, no bird, no animal, and continued to pray.
Late on the third day he climbed out, wondering if he'd ever have a vision, if he was unworthy. He reached his horse and couldn't stand anymore.
That's when his vision came. He saw a rider on his horse, floating in the air. He wore blue leggings, and his face was unpainted. A single feather hung from his long brown hair. Behind one ear was a round stone. A red-backed hawk flew above the man. He heard these words: keep nothing for yourself.
The page of his vision quest was pretty, w/ images of horses painted purple, blue and green.
The air filled with hail and bullets, but none touched the rider. Storm clouds gathered above, and thunder pounded, but the man continued riding. On his cheek was a lightning bolt, and spots like hail marked his chest.
Suddenly Lakotas were all around him, some holding him up, while others tried to pull him from his horse. Wow I just got the cover from this page. The eagle, the horse, and the lightning and marks on his chest.
He felt hands shaking him awake. It was his father and High Backbone. He saw his horse grazing peacefully, with no rider on his back. But a red-faced hawk was perched in the top of the bush near his horse. I thought that was so cool!
Curly wanted to tell them about it, so they'd help him understand it, but his father was mad that he hadn't prepared for it by going to the sweat lodge. He said how could he expect a true vision without being guided by his elders? He kept his vision in his heart and didn't share it with anyone.
Three winters passed, with curly becoming not a different person, but a better one. No young man was more generous or serious. He spoke even less than he did before, but when he did, his words were wise and clear. So he's 16 now.
His dad realized the time had come to speak to his son about his vision quest. Curly told him the powerful vision given to him. His dad told him the man on the horse is the one he'll become. He'll be first to defend his people, though some would try to hold him back. As long as he keeps nothing for himself, no arrow or bullet can hurt him. Because of the vision he would have a new name, so he gave him his own name, Tashunka Witco. I'm very surprised he did that. I didn't know they gave out the same names.
I'm also glad his dad explained it, because I didn't know the part about if he doesn't keep anything for himself, he wouldn't be hurt.
His new name would fit the vision of a horse dancing through a storm, but it doesn't say how it would fit. What does that name mean?
His name would stand for the bravest of all the Lakotas, one who always defended his people. In the days to come, all the world would know that name as it was said in English: they would know crazy horse. I should have been patient! So it means Crazy Horse.
I like the page with him on the hill, looking as he did in the vision as a man, overlooking the canyon below, with the rides in the background, and river below them.
It symbolizes him overseeing his land and taking care of his people.
I'm instantly disappointed because I thought this would be about crazy horse's life. The things he did, and how he died. Although, being that this is a kids book, I could see how it would cover him as a boy. There were some cool moments in here, so for that I gave it 3 stars.
Although I wonder why the NAs are painted blue and green.
Seeing the artwork, it's really not my style. I want the people to look realsitic. They're sort of abstract, made of shapes, with no mouth, and the eyes are black lines.
It looks like the men are painted blue and green, and the women yellow.
They say Crazy Horse was always different. He didn't cry when he was born, he studied the world with serious eyes. His hair was curly so they called him Curly, which I've heard before.
He would never be tall, and although he was small, he was a leader. He was quiet when others spoke, and when they hesitated, he acted.
The other boys would follow him when he said to. A Lakota boy could go wherever he wanted and Curly wanted to go everywhere. I had no idea Crazy Horse was Lakota!! I thought he was Comanche or Apache!!
He had his friends swim in the river and ride over the plains. They followed him up cliffs where eagles nested. He told them to be brave, that if they were, they could help their people.
When he was 11, his father brought home a wild horse and said whoever can ride it can have it. Curly got on and the horse couldn't throw him.
When he was 13, he went on his first buffalo hunt. Hunting buffalo was dangerous because if your horse stumbled and you fell, you could be trampled to death. It was hard to hit a running buffalo with an arrow. Even the best hunters had to shoot several arrows to bring down a buffalo.
I love the mentions of how they hunt like that. And how Curly guided his horse with his knees, and drew back his arrow. He gave his first buffalo to those in their camp who didn't have anyone to hunt for them, which was a really generous thing to do.
When things were realistic-looking--tipis, houses, wagons, the land, the eagles--it just didn't jive with the people.
He had a good life as a boy, but things were about to change. Wasichu settlers (huh??) started to pass through Lakota land. The army built a fort, saying it would keep peace between the Lakotas and the whites.
One day a white man's cow strayed into the camp, trampling their things. A warrior killed it, and the settler demanded that the army punish the Lakota. Chief Conquering Bear tried to avoid trouble by offering a mule and five horses. I think that more than covers it.
The white soldiers ignored the offer and fired their rifles and wagon guns at the Lakotas. Conquering Bear was mortally wounded.
Curly was there and saw what happened, and was deeply troubled. As he stood by the burial scaffolds, he wondered what would happen to his people, and who would defend them. He needed a vision to guide him.
On the shield by the burial scaffold, there's an image of a bear with an arrow pointing down his mouth, that was on tipis in The Girl Who Loved Horses. I guess they really did art like that.
Normally a boy would need a holy man to prepare himself for a vision quest. He would fast and purify himself in a sweat lodge before setting out.
Because he was in a hurry, Curly went by himself. He came upon an eagle-catching pit on the hills away from the camp. He climbed the hill, stripped off his clothes, and stepped down into the pit. He sat and prayed for a vision.
The page of him sitting in the eagle pit at night was pretty. Everything was blue, with the moon above.
He prayed to Wakan Tanka, "Great Mystery, even though I am small and pitiful, I want to help my people."
He stayed there for 3 days, without food or water, and saw no sign, no spirit, no bird, no animal, and continued to pray.
Late on the third day he climbed out, wondering if he'd ever have a vision, if he was unworthy. He reached his horse and couldn't stand anymore.
That's when his vision came. He saw a rider on his horse, floating in the air. He wore blue leggings, and his face was unpainted. A single feather hung from his long brown hair. Behind one ear was a round stone. A red-backed hawk flew above the man. He heard these words: keep nothing for yourself.
The page of his vision quest was pretty, w/ images of horses painted purple, blue and green.
The air filled with hail and bullets, but none touched the rider. Storm clouds gathered above, and thunder pounded, but the man continued riding. On his cheek was a lightning bolt, and spots like hail marked his chest.
Suddenly Lakotas were all around him, some holding him up, while others tried to pull him from his horse. Wow I just got the cover from this page. The eagle, the horse, and the lightning and marks on his chest.
He felt hands shaking him awake. It was his father and High Backbone. He saw his horse grazing peacefully, with no rider on his back. But a red-faced hawk was perched in the top of the bush near his horse. I thought that was so cool!
Curly wanted to tell them about it, so they'd help him understand it, but his father was mad that he hadn't prepared for it by going to the sweat lodge. He said how could he expect a true vision without being guided by his elders? He kept his vision in his heart and didn't share it with anyone.
Three winters passed, with curly becoming not a different person, but a better one. No young man was more generous or serious. He spoke even less than he did before, but when he did, his words were wise and clear. So he's 16 now.
His dad realized the time had come to speak to his son about his vision quest. Curly told him the powerful vision given to him. His dad told him the man on the horse is the one he'll become. He'll be first to defend his people, though some would try to hold him back. As long as he keeps nothing for himself, no arrow or bullet can hurt him. Because of the vision he would have a new name, so he gave him his own name, Tashunka Witco. I'm very surprised he did that. I didn't know they gave out the same names.
I'm also glad his dad explained it, because I didn't know the part about if he doesn't keep anything for himself, he wouldn't be hurt.
His new name would fit the vision of a horse dancing through a storm, but it doesn't say how it would fit. What does that name mean?
His name would stand for the bravest of all the Lakotas, one who always defended his people. In the days to come, all the world would know that name as it was said in English: they would know crazy horse. I should have been patient! So it means Crazy Horse.
I like the page with him on the hill, looking as he did in the vision as a man, overlooking the canyon below, with the rides in the background, and river below them.
It symbolizes him overseeing his land and taking care of his people.
I'm instantly disappointed because I thought this would be about crazy horse's life. The things he did, and how he died. Although, being that this is a kids book, I could see how it would cover him as a boy. There were some cool moments in here, so for that I gave it 3 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2019
Crazy Horse's Vision is a children's picture book written by Joseph Bruchac and illustrated by S.D. Nelson. It is a biographical picture book of Crazy Horse – a Lakota war leader.
November, at least in my part of the world is Native American Heritage Month, which I plan to read one children's book, preferably a biography, which pertains to the subject everyday this month. Therefore, I thought that this book would be apropos for today.
Crazy Horse (Tȟašúŋke Witkó) was a Lakota war leader of the Oglala band in the 19th century. He took up arms against the United States federal government to fight against encroachment by white American settlers on Native American territory and to preserve the traditional way of life of the Lakota people. His participation in several famous battles of the Black Hills War on the northern Great Plains, among them the Fetterman Fight in 1866 in which he acted as a decoy and the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876 in which he led a war party to victory, earned him great respect from both his enemies and his own people.
Bruchac's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Bruchac's description of the vision quest is compelling, and his decision to limit his canvas to a few select events demonstrates his understanding of his audience; an afterword describes subsequent events in the warrior's life. Nelson's approximates the Plains Indians' traditional ledger-book style, characterized by indistinct facial expressions and flat, two-dimensional figures and his symbolic use of color. His sweeping vistas and somewhat ghostly textured brushwork bolster the book's visionary theme.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Bruchac traces Crazy Horse's boyhood, zeroing in on a pivotal event in his life and highlighting an important Native American rite of passage. As a youth, Crazy Horse witnesses U.S. Army soldiers brutally and unjustly attack his people. Troubled, he embarks on a vision quest and sees a figure on horseback riding untouched through a storm of lightning, hail and bullets. His father interprets the vision, telling him that the man on that horse is the one Crazy Horse will become and that he is destined to defend his people.
All in all, Crazy Horse's Vision is a wonderful biographical picture book about Crazy Horse – a war leader that defended his people and the vision that led him there.
November, at least in my part of the world is Native American Heritage Month, which I plan to read one children's book, preferably a biography, which pertains to the subject everyday this month. Therefore, I thought that this book would be apropos for today.
Crazy Horse (Tȟašúŋke Witkó) was a Lakota war leader of the Oglala band in the 19th century. He took up arms against the United States federal government to fight against encroachment by white American settlers on Native American territory and to preserve the traditional way of life of the Lakota people. His participation in several famous battles of the Black Hills War on the northern Great Plains, among them the Fetterman Fight in 1866 in which he acted as a decoy and the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876 in which he led a war party to victory, earned him great respect from both his enemies and his own people.
Bruchac's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Bruchac's description of the vision quest is compelling, and his decision to limit his canvas to a few select events demonstrates his understanding of his audience; an afterword describes subsequent events in the warrior's life. Nelson's approximates the Plains Indians' traditional ledger-book style, characterized by indistinct facial expressions and flat, two-dimensional figures and his symbolic use of color. His sweeping vistas and somewhat ghostly textured brushwork bolster the book's visionary theme.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Bruchac traces Crazy Horse's boyhood, zeroing in on a pivotal event in his life and highlighting an important Native American rite of passage. As a youth, Crazy Horse witnesses U.S. Army soldiers brutally and unjustly attack his people. Troubled, he embarks on a vision quest and sees a figure on horseback riding untouched through a storm of lightning, hail and bullets. His father interprets the vision, telling him that the man on that horse is the one Crazy Horse will become and that he is destined to defend his people.
All in all, Crazy Horse's Vision is a wonderful biographical picture book about Crazy Horse – a war leader that defended his people and the vision that led him there.
December 6, 2017
Bruchac tells the story of Crazy Horse's childhood and his vision quest. Crazy Horse shows great courage, kindness and selflessness as he protects his people and refuses to own anything. While the illustrations are not a style that I particularly enjoy; however, I think they work well with the text. I found it fascinating to read not only the story but also the author's note about Crazy Horse.
March 14, 2022
I was borrowing a couple YA audio books by this author from the library & decided to download this one as well, even though it's a picture book. I never listened to one before & would like to see the illustrations, especially after hearing the author's & artist's notes at the end. But it was an interesting story of the young Curly who has a vision of his people's future & becomes the warrior known as Crazy Horse.
October 4, 2017
The illustrations were a little odd. They didn't really capture the Indian way of life because they looked so modern, like impressionism or some other kind of art. A book is all about the illustrations for me and when I don't want to look at the pages it takes away from the story.
I liked learning about Crazy Horse, that he didn't cry as a baby and would look seriously at the world. He was small but strong, and he was quiet when others were talking and acted when others hesitated.
It's so cool that as a boy he knew he had to be brave in order to help his people, and he encouraged the other boys to be brave too. It's interesting that boys could go wherever they wanted. The things he did as a boy lets you into his character. At 11 he jumped on a wild horse is dad got and stayed on until it stopped bucking. At 13 he went on his first buffalo hunt and was the first to kill a buffalo. Even the best hunters sometimes had to shoot several arrows to kill one, but he only had to shoot once. And he gave the meat to people in the village who didn't have any.
I flipped the page and couldn't believe my eyes. The style of the illustrations was completely different. The scene showing the army fort was more detailed and realistic-looking, which was so at odds from the Impressionism from before. The illustrations should never be that different.
It's so sad the kind of trouble they encountered with the white people. A guy's cow ran through a tipi and knocked things over so one of the Lakota men killed it, and the owner demanded that the Army punish them. The Chief wanted to avoid trouble and offered a mule and five horses. That's such an extravagant trade and it's sad to think they had to give up so much in order to avoid the white's anger. It made it even worse that they didn't even take the extremely generous offer, but attacked the people and killed the Chief.
It's interesting that they used rope to tie the horses legs together so it couldn't wander away.
It was crazy how the people were colored. Crazy Horse was all blue and his dad was green. I have no idea what went into those choices.
I couldn't believe 3 years passed before Crazy Horse shared his vision with his dad, because he had found the boy after his vision he was mad that he hadn't sought help from the elders to purify him so he would receive the proper vision. Crazy Horse had seen a rider on his horse, who was floating in the air, a stone tie behind one ear, one feather in his hair, no paint, and blue leggings. He had a streak of lightning on his face and hail on his chest. He was unharmed and none of it touched him. His dad said this man was him. The vision told him "keep nothing for yourself," so his dad said as long as he did that, no arrow or bullet could hurt him. He would be the first to help his people.
I had just been told that his new name (his dad gave him his) fit the vision he had, and it meant Crazy Horse in English, and everyone would come to know it. He was known for defending his people and being the bravest of the Lakota. I couldn't wait to read on and learn what he did for his people and how he died. I then flipped the page and the book ended. I couldn't believe it. This was literally only about the vision he had and nothing more. The title said it all but I still expected his life story. It felt so incredibly short and unfinished.
Without that author's note I would have been so upset at having to go out and find another book on him. It's so nice that even though he was fierce in war he was kind and compassionate to his people. He never wore a headdress or eagle feather, wouldn't elevate himself above anyone else. So tragic that Crazy Horse never told his own story, I figured it was well-known, so there's only one book about him that's a good source. Mari Sandoz wrote a book on him based on stories from Crazy Horse's friend.
Neat to learn that no arrow or bullet killed him. He was stabbed which was bad, but at least the vision came true and he didn't die by those two means. I got chills as I read that Native people today are still inspired by the courage, honor, strength and generosity of the ones from the old times. And that no one is more inspiring than the boy who looked for a vision and came to be the greatest warrior. People still depend on him and his spirit lives on. Powerful words.
The illustrator's note was particularly cool because they mentioned the ledger style of artwork that Indians used in boarding schools and jail. They were given ledgers and they used pencils, pens and watercolors and made 2-dimensional figures with vague expressions. He explained the meaning of the colors, which at least explained why Crazy Horse was blue. It represents the sky and spirit world.
I liked that he gave facts about their beliefs. Plains Indians usually painted themselves, their horses and their tipis because they believed it gave them spiritual papers. Lizards and dragonflies represented speed and elusiveness. Women used geometric designs on their clothes, tipis, and cradle boards.
I definitely understood the artwork better after reading that the illustrator used traditional forms as well as modern to engage kids. He hoped to educate people on the Lakota art style.
I liked learning about Crazy Horse, that he didn't cry as a baby and would look seriously at the world. He was small but strong, and he was quiet when others were talking and acted when others hesitated.
It's so cool that as a boy he knew he had to be brave in order to help his people, and he encouraged the other boys to be brave too. It's interesting that boys could go wherever they wanted. The things he did as a boy lets you into his character. At 11 he jumped on a wild horse is dad got and stayed on until it stopped bucking. At 13 he went on his first buffalo hunt and was the first to kill a buffalo. Even the best hunters sometimes had to shoot several arrows to kill one, but he only had to shoot once. And he gave the meat to people in the village who didn't have any.
I flipped the page and couldn't believe my eyes. The style of the illustrations was completely different. The scene showing the army fort was more detailed and realistic-looking, which was so at odds from the Impressionism from before. The illustrations should never be that different.
It's so sad the kind of trouble they encountered with the white people. A guy's cow ran through a tipi and knocked things over so one of the Lakota men killed it, and the owner demanded that the Army punish them. The Chief wanted to avoid trouble and offered a mule and five horses. That's such an extravagant trade and it's sad to think they had to give up so much in order to avoid the white's anger. It made it even worse that they didn't even take the extremely generous offer, but attacked the people and killed the Chief.
It's interesting that they used rope to tie the horses legs together so it couldn't wander away.
It was crazy how the people were colored. Crazy Horse was all blue and his dad was green. I have no idea what went into those choices.
I couldn't believe 3 years passed before Crazy Horse shared his vision with his dad, because he had found the boy after his vision he was mad that he hadn't sought help from the elders to purify him so he would receive the proper vision. Crazy Horse had seen a rider on his horse, who was floating in the air, a stone tie behind one ear, one feather in his hair, no paint, and blue leggings. He had a streak of lightning on his face and hail on his chest. He was unharmed and none of it touched him. His dad said this man was him. The vision told him "keep nothing for yourself," so his dad said as long as he did that, no arrow or bullet could hurt him. He would be the first to help his people.
I had just been told that his new name (his dad gave him his) fit the vision he had, and it meant Crazy Horse in English, and everyone would come to know it. He was known for defending his people and being the bravest of the Lakota. I couldn't wait to read on and learn what he did for his people and how he died. I then flipped the page and the book ended. I couldn't believe it. This was literally only about the vision he had and nothing more. The title said it all but I still expected his life story. It felt so incredibly short and unfinished.
Without that author's note I would have been so upset at having to go out and find another book on him. It's so nice that even though he was fierce in war he was kind and compassionate to his people. He never wore a headdress or eagle feather, wouldn't elevate himself above anyone else. So tragic that Crazy Horse never told his own story, I figured it was well-known, so there's only one book about him that's a good source. Mari Sandoz wrote a book on him based on stories from Crazy Horse's friend.
Neat to learn that no arrow or bullet killed him. He was stabbed which was bad, but at least the vision came true and he didn't die by those two means. I got chills as I read that Native people today are still inspired by the courage, honor, strength and generosity of the ones from the old times. And that no one is more inspiring than the boy who looked for a vision and came to be the greatest warrior. People still depend on him and his spirit lives on. Powerful words.
The illustrator's note was particularly cool because they mentioned the ledger style of artwork that Indians used in boarding schools and jail. They were given ledgers and they used pencils, pens and watercolors and made 2-dimensional figures with vague expressions. He explained the meaning of the colors, which at least explained why Crazy Horse was blue. It represents the sky and spirit world.
I liked that he gave facts about their beliefs. Plains Indians usually painted themselves, their horses and their tipis because they believed it gave them spiritual papers. Lizards and dragonflies represented speed and elusiveness. Women used geometric designs on their clothes, tipis, and cradle boards.
I definitely understood the artwork better after reading that the illustrator used traditional forms as well as modern to engage kids. He hoped to educate people on the Lakota art style.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2020
An interesting and short anecdote partially about how Crazy Horse received his name.
April 9, 2025
Beautiful illustrations for a child's version of this classic American Indian story. My wildling boy absolutely loved the tale and is hungry for more of it's like.
January 18, 2021
Crazy Horse, a Lakota/Sioux (Oglala) chief and defeater of Custer at the Little Big Horn, was one of the most respected and courageous Native Americans.
Tashunka Witco (which translates to Crazy Horse), also his father, grew up with the name Curly.
He was quiet, wise, smart, and compassionate. Could this have been from the results of his vision?
#OwnVoices author Joseph Bruchac
5 STAR Illustrations by Sioux Illustrator, S.D. Nelson, are amazing, amidst the symbolic colors, vibrant visuals and traditional accents, make it one of my personal favorite in the illustration department!
Tashunka Witco (which translates to Crazy Horse), also his father, grew up with the name Curly.
He was quiet, wise, smart, and compassionate. Could this have been from the results of his vision?
#OwnVoices author Joseph Bruchac
5 STAR Illustrations by Sioux Illustrator, S.D. Nelson, are amazing, amidst the symbolic colors, vibrant visuals and traditional accents, make it one of my personal favorite in the illustration department!
February 1, 2011
This is a story of Lakota boy Curly, who, from his earliest years proved himself as a leader and a hunter. Witnessing a massacre of Lakota people during a conflict with settlers, Curly decides to seek vision to guide him in the quest to help his people. He receives a new name Crazy Horse. His bravery makes him one of the best-known Native American warriors. The book is written by Joseph Burchac, a writer and a story teller of Abenaki descent and beautifully illustrated by S.D. Nelson, an artist of Lakota descent.
The story of this picture book is simple, but what makes it outstanding are its illustrations inspired by paintings of the Plain Indians. The use of two dimensional figures and bold colors integrate with the story line resulting in a very accurate representation of the vanishing culture.
I really enjoyed reading and experiencing this book. The author’s and illustrator’s notes at the end of the book helped me become familiar with the Lakota symbols and colors carrying special meanings. I would recommend this picture book to elementary school students in grades 3-5 or to ELL students who want to learn about a Lakota warrior whose courage, generosity and spirit still inspire many people.
The story of this picture book is simple, but what makes it outstanding are its illustrations inspired by paintings of the Plain Indians. The use of two dimensional figures and bold colors integrate with the story line resulting in a very accurate representation of the vanishing culture.
I really enjoyed reading and experiencing this book. The author’s and illustrator’s notes at the end of the book helped me become familiar with the Lakota symbols and colors carrying special meanings. I would recommend this picture book to elementary school students in grades 3-5 or to ELL students who want to learn about a Lakota warrior whose courage, generosity and spirit still inspire many people.
November 21, 2022
I was introduced to Crazy Horse's Vision in my children's lit class and I really love it. It tells the story of the life of Crazy Horse. It explains how his name changed from Curly to Crazy Horse and how he became the leader of his people. Bruchac skillfully walks the line of telling the tragic story of how the Lakota were treated in a way that does not sugar-coat the difficult facts, but is still appropriate for children to read.
The illustrations by S.D. Nelson are beautiful and they tell so much of the story all on their own. They include accurate information about the lives of the Lakota people including the tipis they lived in, the way they cared for their babies, they way they practiced their faith, and even small details like the patterns they used on their fabrics. I love that the end of the book includes notes about the art and even the color choices the author made. Be sure to read it to find out why Crazy Horse is blue!
I am definitely adding this book to my next book order. I believe it will be an excellent addition to my collection. First of all it’s a great story. I really enjoyed reading it. Also, I am always looking to add books to the collection that are by authors writing from an authentic place about their own culture.
The illustrations by S.D. Nelson are beautiful and they tell so much of the story all on their own. They include accurate information about the lives of the Lakota people including the tipis they lived in, the way they cared for their babies, they way they practiced their faith, and even small details like the patterns they used on their fabrics. I love that the end of the book includes notes about the art and even the color choices the author made. Be sure to read it to find out why Crazy Horse is blue!
I am definitely adding this book to my next book order. I believe it will be an excellent addition to my collection. First of all it’s a great story. I really enjoyed reading it. Also, I am always looking to add books to the collection that are by authors writing from an authentic place about their own culture.
September 18, 2023
A good introduction to the story of Crazy Horse, the Lakota leader who helped his people. I didn't know much about him and enjoyed learning about his life. I didn't quite understand the illustrator's vision making Crazy Horse blue but the style indicates it may be based on Lakota art. Most people are familiar with the Lakota Sioux, the Plains Indians featured in most Hollywood westerns.
What the movies don't tell you is the reason this book is deemed objectionable by some. After a white settler's cow went on a rampage through the Lakota village and a Lakota shot the cow, the chief of the clan offered to pay other animals for the cow. Instead, the Americans (U.S. Army) opened fire on innocent Lakota.
This is an interesting story and inspiring for kids to know that a young person with a dream can stand up and make a difference in people's lives and fight to preserve a way of life they believe in. It shows Indigenous kids that their people had great American heroes too
What the movies don't tell you is the reason this book is deemed objectionable by some. After a white settler's cow went on a rampage through the Lakota village and a Lakota shot the cow, the chief of the clan offered to pay other animals for the cow. Instead, the Americans (U.S. Army) opened fire on innocent Lakota.
This is an interesting story and inspiring for kids to know that a young person with a dream can stand up and make a difference in people's lives and fight to preserve a way of life they believe in. It shows Indigenous kids that their people had great American heroes too
August 13, 2021
This is a 23 minute book. I highly recommend the version from Live Oak Media eReadalong, which not only has narration from Joseph Brushac, Robert Tree Cody, and Curtis Zunigha, but also some background music and sound effects.
The illustrations by SD Nelson, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, were stunning. The only problem I had with the read along book was that if a page had no text on it, the book wouldn’t pause for a few seconds just to absorb Nelson’s illustrations.
Although the book is clearly for children, I encourage adults to read the author’s note and the illustrator’s note. These may also be good to read to kids, but I can’t be sure.
CWs:
- taming of a wild horse.
- Hunting & animal death.
- Colonizers conspiring against native people to take their land.
- mass killing.
The illustrations by SD Nelson, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, were stunning. The only problem I had with the read along book was that if a page had no text on it, the book wouldn’t pause for a few seconds just to absorb Nelson’s illustrations.
Although the book is clearly for children, I encourage adults to read the author’s note and the illustrator’s note. These may also be good to read to kids, but I can’t be sure.
CWs:
- taming of a wild horse.
- Hunting & animal death.
- Colonizers conspiring against native people to take their land.
- mass killing.
December 8, 2022
Crazy Horse told his own story with his brave actions on behalf of his people, and his heroism will live on forever in the annals of history of both the victors and the vanquished. This story focuses on how he came by his distinctive name and the vision quest that helped him to fulfill his calling as the greatest spiritual warrior of North American indigenous peoples. Gorgeous illustrations add a touch of mystical magic to this inspiring tale. The Author’s Note includes additional historical material about the Lakota and Crazy Horse’s background. The Illustrator’s Note discusses the “ledger book style” of the artwork and the meaning of traditional colors and symbols among the Plains peoples.
October 26, 2020
This is a story of humble beginnings that can be used as an inspiration to its readers for aspiring to be the best you can be. It not only gives an image of history but also provides a glimpse of the rituals and culture of these characters. The illustrator, S.D. Nelson does a wonderful job of portraying the heritage and profile of the Lakotas. He made good use of colors to help match each section the author wrote. I especially like the fact that main character became a better cersion of himself in the end.
November 16, 2021
Wonderful illustration and a great introduction to Crazy Horse for anyone unfamiliar with his story.
I read the “read-along” version. That means audiobooks and physical book together. Incredible multi-media story telling.
The bulk of the book is a typical illustrated children’s book that even an adult can enjoy. I especially liked the ending with the author and illustrator’s notes to flesh out the story and help understand color choices.
I read the “read-along” version. That means audiobooks and physical book together. Incredible multi-media story telling.
The bulk of the book is a typical illustrated children’s book that even an adult can enjoy. I especially liked the ending with the author and illustrator’s notes to flesh out the story and help understand color choices.
May 8, 2017
Bruchac, Joseph, and S. D. Nelson. Crazy Horse's Vision. New York: Lee & Low, 2000. Print.
This book is definitely for anyone over the age of 6 for reading independently. It has a very good projection of how Crazy Horse lived. This book is not one I would use as a teaching book specifically but I would recommend it for anyone who likes to read about Indians.
This book is definitely for anyone over the age of 6 for reading independently. It has a very good projection of how Crazy Horse lived. This book is not one I would use as a teaching book specifically but I would recommend it for anyone who likes to read about Indians.
December 17, 2019
This tells the story of the courageous leader Curly, who wants nothing more than to help his tribe. He seeks out a vision to do so, and ultimately ends up the leader for his tribe, taking his father’s name, which translates to Crazy Horse. The author and illustrator notes at the end provide more background information on the historical events and artistic styles.
November 9, 2022
Written by an Abenaki Indian and illustrated by a Standing Rock Sioux (their own identity claims). It's an engaging and inspirational exploration of one part of a great man's life. More biographical details are in the author's notes. The illustrator's note is also interesting. A great read for November, or for any time of year.
November 18, 2022
This book makes me want to learn more about the true owners of the land that I inhabit. What a beautiful group of people!
I love that the author chose the color blue to depict crazy horse as the sky. This is such a magnificent book, I need to get myself as well as my nieces & nephews a copy!!
It’s a Tops 💚💚💚
I love that the author chose the color blue to depict crazy horse as the sky. This is such a magnificent book, I need to get myself as well as my nieces & nephews a copy!!
It’s a Tops 💚💚💚
March 6, 2020
I loved Loved Loved this book! Crazy Horse is one of the best-known Native American heroes. He was a leader, even as a young boy, taming horses. This true story goes throughout Crazy Horse's life and the trouble he faces. This is another great book to add to my collection.
March 6, 2021
Vibrant illustrations create a dreamlike backdrop to a story that captures the story of Crazy Horse but also the relationship the Native American nations had with nature and their calling and obligation to the tribe.
April 23, 2022
The true story of the great Sioux warrior who, as a young boy, defies tradition and seeks a vision on his own in hopes of saving his people. Bruchac knows his subject well and the artwork is stunning. This picture book is a great way for kids learn about this important Native American.
June 28, 2017
This was a neat book telling about Native American customs and beliefs while also teaching about having dreams and fulfilling them. I loved it, thought it was a great book for all ages.
October 9, 2017
Crazy Horse from his birth to him getting the name Crazy Horse. The story doesn't include why we know him today.
January 29, 2018
An excellent story about the early history of one of the most Native American figures in history.
September 17, 2018
Beautiful art and wonderful storytelling tell the story of Crazy Horse and his leadership in one of the best such books I've read in a long time!
October 18, 2018
Bruchac is the quintessential indigenous children’s author. This book is well written and beautifully illustrated and is a respectful historical account of a legendary native hero.
June 26, 2019
A good intro for kids to learn about Native Americans
March 3, 2020
tells a legend of Lakota.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews