The Storytelling Princess

The author of more than 20 books for adults and children, Rafe Martin celebrates his birthday today!

Martin, Rafe.

The Storytelling Princess.
2001.
G.P. Putnam's Sons.

Ages: 4-8
Genre: Fables, Folk Tales, Myths
Guided Reading Level: N/A

Review/Summary:

Swept overboard on her way to meet her prince "husband-to-be," the storytelling princess overcomes the tragedy and lives to tell her own story to the prince of her dreams... who just happens to be the same prince her father had arranged her marriage to.

This was a great tale and tells a wonderful story!

Martin, Rafe.
The Boy Who Lived with the Seals.
1993.
G.P. Putnam's Sons.

Ages: 4-8
Genre: Fables, Folk Tales, Myths
Guided Reading Level: M

Review/Summary:

Based on a tale originating from the Chinook Indians, Martin shares with us the story of the boy who lived with the seals. While his father is busy by the river working on preparing a canoe for the family to use for the spring migration, a young boy is playing in the nearby river (wading, tossing pebbles, splashing in the water). However, it is believed he has wandered off and after three weeks of searching the young boy remains unfound. Years later, after yet another spring migration, a woman from another tribe shares the story about the seals that love the island where the river empties into the sea. Among the seals, there is a boy... As the story goes on, we discover that this boy with the seals is indeed the missing child from years ago. However, despite all of their efforts, the boy never readjusts to life among the humans but continues to show his love to his parents by providing them with a new canoe for each spring migration.

This is a powerful tale that is wonderfully presented! Would be a wonderful addtion to a unit of tales or as part of a unit of study on the Native Americans.