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Buffalo Song
Buffalo Song (HC)
40 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2007
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.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 16, 2019
Joseph Bruchac, always one of my favorite children's book authors, here turns his attention to the story of the buffalo, and how one Salish family began the struggle to save them from extinction. Witness to a time when the buffalo roamed the western plains in massive herds, Sam Walking Coyote and his family began rescuing and raising orphaned buffalo calves in the 1870s, after white hunters had all but wiped them out. Determined to ensure the safety of these few survivors, Walking Coyote decided to lead their small band over the mountains, to safety on the Flathead Reservation. Here they eventually formed the nucleus of the Pablo-Allard herd, which was to prove so instrumental in reestablishing the species...
Of Abenaki heritage, Bruchac is a prolific author who has explored issues relevant to Native North America through many different genres. Buffalo Song, a lovely picture book illustrated by Bill Farnsworth, is a welcome addition to his body of work. Based upon the oral tradition of the Salish-Pend d’Oreille nation, Bruchac's narrative is both engaging and thoughtful, with enough excitement to involve young readers, and enough substance that they will learn something. Highly recommended.
Of Abenaki heritage, Bruchac is a prolific author who has explored issues relevant to Native North America through many different genres. Buffalo Song, a lovely picture book illustrated by Bill Farnsworth, is a welcome addition to his body of work. Based upon the oral tradition of the Salish-Pend d’Oreille nation, Bruchac's narrative is both engaging and thoughtful, with enough excitement to involve young readers, and enough substance that they will learn something. Highly recommended.
July 13, 2019
Stunning. The story, based on true events, of Walking Coyote, who along with his family, began efforts to restore the buffalo that are so important to his people. A member of the Salish nation, he begins moving small herds of buffalo he raises to places where they can thrive. The panoramic landscape paintings that illustrate the book are gorgeous. I always like Bruchac’s work, but this is one of his best.
March 19, 2011
This is a beautifully illustrated book about the inspiring and thrilling true tale of how some of the buffalo were brought back from near extinction by certain Native Americans and others. The young calves are adorable. I love how the Nez Perce/Salish people in this true story called buffalo the buffalo people. This is a lovely story about dedication and persistence, and as much success as could ever have been expected. This is an adventure story with quite a bit of suspense and also a sweet animal-human story. There are sad and infuriating parts but overall this is an uplifting tale. There is a one page long afterword that gives further information about what happened and who else contributed in the saving of the buffalo herd. The animals, one buffalo in particular, have very distinct and admirable personalities. The illustrations are perfection. Reading this book is a fine way to learn history and its contents could easily inspire discussions in classrooms and families, and among friends.
April 13, 2011
* Historical Fiction
* Based on the details of how Kalispal Indian rescued and raised orphan buffalo calves
* Oil on canvas illustrations
* LONG book…If read aloud, it should be broken into sections
* Failed to capture my attention, but some students were interested.
* Based on the details of how Kalispal Indian rescued and raised orphan buffalo calves
* Oil on canvas illustrations
* LONG book…If read aloud, it should be broken into sections
* Failed to capture my attention, but some students were interested.
xx-dnf-skim-reference
November 8, 2025Checked it out for the coyote reference, but it turns out that the name Walking Coyote is the only reference. This is a true story about some of the events about how bison were saved from extinction. Notes on copyright page and at the end. Too long for me to read every word, but it seems good for interested readers.
February 7, 2010
This inspiring story discusses the first efforts to save the buffalo, an animal sacred to the Native American. Considered to be one of the very best books ever written about the buffalo from a Native American perspective.The main character Walking Coyote protect young buffalo on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana.His committment to the majestic animals emanates throughout the pages. I learned how important the buffalo was to the survival of Native Americans and how focused they are to the preservation of nature.
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September 27, 2017This book is the story of a little buffalo calf whose herd is killed by hunters. The calf is rescued by a family, and taken to a mission where there are other orphaned buffalo calves. The little buffalo grows big and strong, and helps lead the herd of orphaned buffaloes to a new place where the herd can grow and prosper.
If I were to use this book for a lesson, I would do a read aloud. Then I would have students group up and play role and retell. Students would have multiple sheets of paper with different comprehension questions (Set up like bingo) and a dice. They would role the dice, and whichever question the dice lands on, they answer.
If I were to use this book for a lesson, I would do a read aloud. Then I would have students group up and play role and retell. Students would have multiple sheets of paper with different comprehension questions (Set up like bingo) and a dice. They would role the dice, and whichever question the dice lands on, they answer.
May 16, 2022
It began with one orphan buffalo and grew to a small herd, and then several merged herds until Native Americans created a foundation herd that has helped ensure the buffalo, as a species, survived the large-scale hunting and destruction of the buffalo's natural habitat.
January 27, 2022
This was a beautiful book and based on a true story!
July 4, 2023
This book touched my heart! I loved the story and the Bill Farnsworth illustrations are wonderful.
October 6, 2024
Another excellent Joseph Bruchac story. This one about the history of saving the American bison.
May 8, 2014
Buffalo Song is a story depicted on true facts within an entertaining story. The book portrays the near extinction of the buffalo (commonly-used term for the North American bison) in the late 1800’s. Told in the story, a buffalo calf (Little Thunder Hoof) is a lone member of her herd who survived an attack of hunters. Little Thunder Hoof is near death before being found and taken-in by a poor native American family run by Walking Coyote, his wife Mary, and son Blanket Hawk.
Walking Coyote tells his family of early days of his life where the Buffalo flourished. He described how seeing large buffalo herds and hearing the hooves scatter across the valleys were the most beautiful experience he has ever witnessed. His main aspiration is to experience this again and have all the Native American tribes/people see what he saw when he was a young child. By taking-in Little Thunder Hoof and other buffalo calves, he nourishes them and journeys off to find a better valley for them to mate where they are safer and can be better attended to. After a long journey, he finds a home for Little Thunder Hoof and the other surviving buffalo calves. The buffalo grow and multiply which draws attention to the United States Government which set aside protected natural areas of land where the buffalo could flourish. These areas of land help the buffalo population grow out of extinction. The survival of these majestic animals was greatly credited to the help of Walking Coyotes help and vision.
This story is perfect for children due to the easy-to-follow narration and colorful illustrations that follow the text on every page. The story Little Thunder Hoof and Walking Coyotes’ journey relates to one of the great success stories of endangered species rescue in United States history. It also represents the North American buffalo as an important spiritual and cultural symbol of hope to extinction and American culture.
Walking Coyote tells his family of early days of his life where the Buffalo flourished. He described how seeing large buffalo herds and hearing the hooves scatter across the valleys were the most beautiful experience he has ever witnessed. His main aspiration is to experience this again and have all the Native American tribes/people see what he saw when he was a young child. By taking-in Little Thunder Hoof and other buffalo calves, he nourishes them and journeys off to find a better valley for them to mate where they are safer and can be better attended to. After a long journey, he finds a home for Little Thunder Hoof and the other surviving buffalo calves. The buffalo grow and multiply which draws attention to the United States Government which set aside protected natural areas of land where the buffalo could flourish. These areas of land help the buffalo population grow out of extinction. The survival of these majestic animals was greatly credited to the help of Walking Coyotes help and vision.
This story is perfect for children due to the easy-to-follow narration and colorful illustrations that follow the text on every page. The story Little Thunder Hoof and Walking Coyotes’ journey relates to one of the great success stories of endangered species rescue in United States history. It also represents the North American buffalo as an important spiritual and cultural symbol of hope to extinction and American culture.
January 19, 2009
A boy and his father find a buffalo calf who has survived the slaughter of its herd by white hunters. They take the calf to Walking Coyote who adds it to his herd of young buffalo, calling him Little Thunder Hoof. Walking Coyote and his family then lead the herd of nine calves over the mountains to safety. The trip is treacherous and filled with dangers. When they reached the St. Ignatius Mission, the priests refuse to take the animals so they journey onto the Salish people. As years pass, the buffalo herd grows and Walking Coyote finds others who share his vision of hills and fields black with buffalo roaming free.
Bruchac's words sing here as they lead readers from the slaughter through dangers to safety and survival. There is plenty here for readers to enjoy with spiritual aspects, environmentalism and adventure. Farnsworth's art is a magnificent accompaniment to the text, offering lots of nature, vistas and landscapes, and the promise of the blanket of buffalo.
Recommended as a very accessible book on Native American culture. The beauty mixed with the adventure will have kids enjoying this book thoroughly. Appropriate for ages 5-9.
Bruchac's words sing here as they lead readers from the slaughter through dangers to safety and survival. There is plenty here for readers to enjoy with spiritual aspects, environmentalism and adventure. Farnsworth's art is a magnificent accompaniment to the text, offering lots of nature, vistas and landscapes, and the promise of the blanket of buffalo.
Recommended as a very accessible book on Native American culture. The beauty mixed with the adventure will have kids enjoying this book thoroughly. Appropriate for ages 5-9.
November 2, 2009
*read as my non-print text
In the 1870s, the American buffalo was endangered because of the white man's senseless hunting. A Nez Perce man and his young son rescue a calf that survived one of their attacks and deliver him to Walking Coyote of the Salish nation who, with his wife and son, have a corral for nursing such calves back to health. Their herd grows to nine and Walking Coyote, his wife Mary, and their son make the difficult trek over the mountains to bring the buffalo to more grazing land. The travelers are welcomed with great rejoicing by the Salish people. Walking Coyote cares for the herd, going from pasture to pasture, but eventually realizes he needs help. The herd is purchased by two ranchers who respect the buffalo and their place in Native American culture and bring the buffalo to the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana, where they grow into a herd of several hundred.
In the 1870s, the American buffalo was endangered because of the white man's senseless hunting. A Nez Perce man and his young son rescue a calf that survived one of their attacks and deliver him to Walking Coyote of the Salish nation who, with his wife and son, have a corral for nursing such calves back to health. Their herd grows to nine and Walking Coyote, his wife Mary, and their son make the difficult trek over the mountains to bring the buffalo to more grazing land. The travelers are welcomed with great rejoicing by the Salish people. Walking Coyote cares for the herd, going from pasture to pasture, but eventually realizes he needs help. The herd is purchased by two ranchers who respect the buffalo and their place in Native American culture and bring the buffalo to the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana, where they grow into a herd of several hundred.
October 21, 2016
A very informative story about the buffalo (bison). I heard just the other day the the plains of the US used to be called the Serengeti of North America. Now...bison are in small herds and other animals have gone almost extinct. Thanks to people like Walking Coyote saw a need to preserve the animals and did.
In the afterwards it talks about the the US government was going to buy the herd in 1908 but it fell through so they were sent to Canada! It is too bad the US couldn't have kept them and taken care of them.
In the afterwards it talks about the the US government was going to buy the herd in 1908 but it fell through so they were sent to Canada! It is too bad the US couldn't have kept them and taken care of them.
October 11, 2011
Walking Coyote treats the buffalo with great respect. The buffalo are in danger of becoming extent. Walking Coyote works to keep the buffalo alive and away from hunters. He helped preserve the buffalo by helping to send herds of them to Canada.
October 22, 2010
Historical fiction based ob truth of Walking Coyote saving the last of the buffalo in the late 1880's.
December 18, 2010
Another William Allen White Master List book.
February 21, 2011
I have read this book twice now and I think it is a good book but I am not sure either as a read aloud or as a personal read my ids would stick with it. Great book for historical value though.
September 25, 2012
A Native American tale about one man, Walking Coyote, and his family who worked to save the herds of buffalo in the Western United States.
August 13, 2013
I would like to use this book as a supplement when teaching about Native Americans, or even food chains/ what happens when one species is nearly wiped out. Great pictures!
March 2, 2016
Beautiful illustrations.
March 31, 2017
I think this a very thought provoking book that will help adults and children alike think about what mother earth provides for us and our responsibility to protect it.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews