Little Runner of the Longhouse

by Betty Baker, Arnold Lobel (Illustrator)

Little Runner wants to play big boys games. He wants to wear old clothes and scary masks, just like them. But Mother thinks he's too young ... until clever Little Runner thinks of a funny trick to get what he wants.

Genres: Childrens, Native American, Picture Books, Fiction

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1962

Reviews

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book as a young girl, and I even remember taking it to school when we were learning about Indians. My teacher read it to the class and used it to help teach us. I unique book telling a story about Little Runner and wanting to do some things the Big Boys do that is a tradition with the tribe during New Years. Little Runner and his Momma tell the story and readers-listeners will get a sneak peek into the lives of Indians years ago. A wonderful 'beginning' to learn about them. Or a good book to help teach about various traditions of others during the holidays.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned to read with this book!

[Cheryl]

Funny story that seems reasonably respectful and accurate. Unfortunately Baker is (apparently) not Native, and some aspects of the vibe seem a little 'off' now. Fortunately, we have a lot more Native people getting their own books published, and we can replace these with the ones that honor the people themselves.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's the New Year, and the Iroquois Ceremonies of the inhabitants of the longhouse are beginning. Little Runner tries to convince his mother that he is one of the big boys who has come to trade his little brother for maple sugar, but his mother is one step ahead of him with the bartering.

[Beverlee Jobrack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good to have children's books about Native Americans.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for early readers.

The illustrations are nice and attractive and
appropriate. Not absolutely fantastic. Of course,
if they were absolutely fantastic they might
detract from the storyline.

A good introduction to American Indian
life for young children.

A good--not absolutely great--book for
young children.

[Erika · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book for the purpose of updating our school library catalog. I noticed that the words chosen to describe rituals are inappropriate and almost mocking like. The choice of words used such as 'silly' and 'funny masks,' to describe cultural dress is inappropriate. In conclusion, this book is outdated and should be taken out of circulation.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reason for Reading: Ds read this aloud to me as his reader.

This easy reader starts off with introducing us to Little Runner's way of life in the Indian village, eventually leading up to telling us that today is New Years Day for them. The older children play a game involving masks and an old woman with a basket where they go from longhouse to longhouse asking for maple sugar. The alternative is, if a family does not give maple sugar each boy may take something from them. The indigenous game has some similarities to the traditional roots of modern day Hallowe'en. Of course, Little Runner wants to play, too, but Mother says he is still to little so he cooks up a plan where he has taken Little Brother from Mother and won't give him back until she gives him some maple sugar. Of course, Mother can play the game too and it's quite a funny predicament Little Runner finds himself him.

This is a fun story. We had previously learned about longhouses when we studied Indians last year so ds was pointing things out in the pictures he would not have otherwise noticed or known. He thought Little Runner's idea of taking Little Brother was hilarious. The story is quite simple, but the use of repetition makes it fun and, of course, works on those reading skills. Lobel's artwork is as always just as expected from him. Except for the round baby faces on Little Runner & Brother, the adult Indians have been drawn realistically and respectfully. Recommended but unfortunately is out of print at this time. It is easy enough to find secondhand copies though.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

For ages 4-7. I am reading all of these Native American books for a class project comparing how views of Native Americans have changed over time. So I'm starting with this book and Nathaniel Benchley's "Red Fox and his Canoe," and Syd Hoff's "Little Chief." All three books were written in the early 1960s, and are very outdated. Granted two were illustrated by Arnold Lobel (who I loved with the "Frog and Toad" series), but the Native Americans were not well-depicted.

To quote a review I found on Amazon, published March 27, 2004 who called entitle it "Stereotyped and Offensive":

"Little Runner, whose tribe is never identified, looks Anglo and dresses like Daniel Boone. His life is made to look like a cartoon. Sacred items are treated in a disrespectful, offensive way. Imagine a book showing a young Jewish boy playing with a Torah, or a young Christian tossing about a crucifix, and you might get the idea of how offensive this book is.

Avoid this at all costs, and toss it out of your school library. There are many, many children's books with Native themes that are beautiful and entertaining. (...) ."

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun, but very dated story about a little Native American boy and his family, with some information about their culture and lifestyle. We really enjoyed the interaction between Little Runner and his mom, with one thing building upon another. It was a fun book to read aloud and our girls enjoyed the story.

[Elizabeth Scheller Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter LOVED this book and it was read lots and lots of times. I like giving it as a baby shower gift. Note that the clothes are slightly off...'pants legs' actually were attached to the belt holding up the breech clout and the moccasins should be center seamed but only a clothing historian or revolutionary war re-enactor would notice.

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book, especially the part where the little boy had the mask on because he looked like the big boys. I liked the mom in the story because she had maple sugar. I want to taste it someday.

[Edward Creter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Runner wants to have all the maple sugar he can eat, but his mom keeps getting in the way of his schemes--with good reason! A fun book about Native Americans and the often fun things they can tell the rest of us.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as a kid and when I'm visiting my parents I read it to my nieces. It's still wonderful!

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh, ok

[Conner Klostermann · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Little Runner is a young children's book about a boy who wants to play big boy games. But his mother thinks he is too young and the games are too dangerous for him to be playing in. This is an okay book for young children showing that the boy won't give up on his dreams until he gets what he wants.