Keepers of the Earth: Native American Stories and Environmental Activities for Children

by Michael J. Caduto

Includes suggested activities and traditional Indian tales

Genres: Native American, Nature, Indigenous, Education, Earth, Environment, Nonfiction

240 pages, Hardcover

First published September 15, 1988

Reviews

[Kelly Coyle DiNorcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned SO MUCH from this book! My daughter has lots of questions when we're outside hiking and enjoying nature, and I was frequently finding myself unable to answer them. This book is a little textbook-y, but easy to read and extrememly informative, with a great introduction to a diverse number of topics in biology. It also contains a lot of great activities that could be used with a group or one-on-one.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that I need to own someday. If I could do my entire homeschool curriculum out of this book, I would. The stories are so beautiful, the lessons so complete and engaging… A treasure.

[Juli Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are tons of ideas for families and educators in this book, with a focus on environmental stewardship. I am always cautious about "educational" materials about indigenous communities and, as a white person, I wouldn't feel comfortable telling these stories to children myself. However, the volume itself is thoughtfully (and exhaustively) collected by an indigenous author and the lessons and activities provided are truly stellar.

[jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book from my nature center library. technically it is a childrens book but i love learning about native american stories and i really enjoyed this little book. i especially enjoyed the story of creation and Begochiddy. it was just a good time.

[Ricki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great curriculum book for reading Indigenous myths to kids. Every story has activities you can pair with it, usually environmentally themed. I really like the stories. E.g. Coyote takes back a gift that he gave to a big rock, so the rock chases him down and rolls over and flattens him. It's funny, it has a moral, it has a beginning, middle and end. The stories in this book are satisfying to read. (This summer I read some stories from Thirty Indian Legends of Canada, but they seemed really random at times and could leave the reader confused.)

This would work well in homeschool. I'll come back to it when my kids are a bit older.

[Alexandra Chauran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got this book from the library and it was an amazing concept. It reminded me of Story Path curriculum in that it combines story-telling with observation and experimentation to teach science concepts. I definitely have to get this book for when my kids are older. For right now, they enjoyed the stories at bedtime.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Go outside. Look at the stars. Learn about other peoples' creation myths and beliefs--this is what Joseph Bruchac offers in this book. Excellent resource for teachers, parents--for that matter, anyone who wants to offer children firsthand experiences with the natural world. The stories are particularly wonderful.

[Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

One for everyone, old or young. Takes you back to the mystery of Mother Earth and her creatures.

[Kari Percival · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! This is a generous, glittering collection of entertaining, multifaceted and deep tales and related fun, relevant science activities for children that instruct listeners of all ages how to care for our shared planet for the next generation. An excellent book of a great series.

[Isabella Campeau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used to use this when I taught environmental education. Fast forward 25 years, and I picked it up again for my Native American Mythology Unit. It's an excellent resource for stories, and also many lessons that range from language arts to science. I recommend this book

[Martha Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A selection of traditional tales from various Native American peoples, each accompanied by instructions for related activities dealing with aspects of the environment.
This book is one of a series of anthologies by Joseph Bruchac and Michael Caduto. Some stories are have more kid-appeal than others, but it's a good introduction to Native American stories, many of which are focused on the environment.

[Lafcadio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short stories paired with related environmental activities.

[Karetchko]

Great stories and illustrations. I used to use this book a lot when I had a job as an environmental educator at a summer camp.

[Kathywelch]

Excellent and easy to read collections of Native American myths and lore with teaching ideas and other supplementary materials.

[Dawn]

Great collection of Native American Stories.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although, in retrospect, culturally insensitive. Perhaps even ludicrously so. Why was this allowed to happen?