SOLVED. Pioneer girl meeting native community; gathering around a fire (children's picture book from 80s?) [s]

[Amanda]

I am looking for a children's book I read in the 80s about a pioneer family meeting their local native community. This is very similar to a previous post about a book that was identified as Carolina's Courage by Elizabeth Yates, but is not that book. This was not a novel; I remember it as a relatively long picture book.

The story is told from the point of view of the pioneer family's daughter (and only child). Her family has just moved to the area, and the girl is quite young and nervous about the native Americans in the area. One evening one of the native men comes to their home to speak to her father, and he tells her that they have been invited to a gathering of some sort (in a teepee or longhouse?). She takes her doll with her and hides behind her parents to begin with, then sees a native girl about her age who I believe also has a doll. Part of the gathering involves dancing around the fire, and the little girl eventually takes a turn but trips and drops her doll near the fire. The native girl grabs it so that it only gets singed, and hands it back to her.

I think it was about realizing that others are just like you and not to be feared. I do recall that it was beautifully illustrated.

I'd appreciate any suggestions!

[Kris]

Surprise At Muddy Creek by Leone Castell Anderson? "Little Carrie misses her Boston home when her family moves West, but the displeasure she feels on discovering her neighbors are Indians changes as she comes to know Running Fawn, a girl her own age."

Cover image = www.amazon.com/Surprise-At-Muddy-Cree...

[Hillary]

this is a long shot, but I loved this book as a child. The Courage of Sarah Noble has the daughter accompanying her father to build their new home in the wilderness, leaving the mother with a new baby (or a sick sibling, I can't remember) behind. They make friends with the local "native" tribe (undefined, it was read by me in the early 80s at the latest). When the father has to go back to get the rest of the family, Sarah stays with the tribe. The doll, the fire, and the family meeting the tribe make it ring for me that this might fit.

[Amanda]

Kris wrote: "Surprise At Muddy Creek by Leone Castell Anderson?

YES! This is it! I wasn't sure from the description, but I recognized the cover art immediately! Thank you!

[Kris]

You're welcome. Glad we could help. :)