The Return of the Buffaloes

by Paul Goble

Dispatched to learn what has become of the buffalo herds that sustain their people, two Great Plains Native American scouts encounter a mysterious spirit woman who helps them out of their predicament. 20,000 first printing.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Paul Goble was an award winning author and illustrator of children's books. He has won both the Caldecott Medal and The Library of Congress' Children's Book of the Year Award.
He gave his entire collection of original illustrations to the South Dakota Art Museum in Brookings, South Dakota.
Goble, a native of England, studied at the Central School of Art in London. He became a United States citizen in 1984. Goble's life-long fascination with Native Americans of the plains began during his childhood when he became intrigued with their spirituality and culture.
His illustrations accurately depict Native American clothing, customs and surroundings in brilliant color and detail. Goble researched ancient stories and retold them for his young audiences in a manner sympathetic to Native American ways.
Goble lived with his wife in Rapid City, SD.

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tale and art alone would make a book well worth-reading. But the author's ntoes at the beginning and end make the tale more meaningful.

All of the books by Goble (that I've read so far) are appropriate for any age.

[Kris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have cut Goble probably too much slack on his appropriative books because the man was a talented artist. The books are beautiful, and occasionally, well-written. This one is one of the less gorgeous ones, and it wasn't particularly well-told - hence, less slack. Two stars.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another enjoyable Native American tale.

[Realynne Urena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think its an amazing children's picture book because even though it's a myth its an interesting story that teaches kids to overcome challenges and understand/uncover nature's mystery's and i'm a 10 year old who enjoyed this story in a NYC Department of Education ELA Grade 5 Spring Benchmark Assessment and I adore this Plain Indians story based on Lakota myth!

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book retells the Lakota myth of how a mysterious woman brings about the return of the buffalo during a time of famine.

The indigenous peoples of the Northern Great Plains were dependent upon the buffalo for their survival. The buffalo provided the majority of their food and the material goods, and whenever the herds migrated beyond the reach of a tribe or a band, famine would result until the buffalo returned to the hunting zone. This story recounts the end of one such famine through the intercession of a mysterious woman -- either a human incarnation of the buffalo nation or an incarnation of nature.

The illustrations were created using India ink and watercolor.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not letting me read

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oz really enjoyed this story! I thought it was a lovely origin story for the herds of buffalo.

[Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of my favorite Goble illustrations in this one. My children and I have loved all of Goble's books.

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forgot that I had already recently read this book, but enjoyed reading it again.

September 20, 2023: Paul Goble never ceases to fascinate me with his stories and illustrations. I learn so much!

[Julian Franklin]

Paul Goble is not a descendant of the Native American culture, but did live on the Black Hills, where the story takes place, for thirteen years. He was able to hear about this story first hand from Joe One Feather when living on the Black Hills. He incorporates his research of the community and the story he was told, to create an informative and interesting book for children.
I would use this book to teach children about the importance of our natural resources. Tell them that we eat animals the same way that Native Americans eat buffalo, and that we need animals to survive. It would show them that if the animals we were eating disappeared then we would start to grow hungry as the Native Americans did. It would also show the value of taking care of the earth, since animals eat grass and corn, things that the earth grows.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

a native american mythological story
"beautiful pics great legend
"

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

a native american mythological story
"beautiful pics great legend
information about culture and artifacts. patterns of art work.