Red Bird - Hardcover

Mitchell, Barbara

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0688108598 ISBN 13: 9780688108595

Publisher: HarperCollins, 1996

Synopsis

Katie, also known as Red Bird, joins her family and other Indians at the annual powwow in southern Delaware, where they celebrate their Nanticoke heritage with music, dancing, and special foods

About this title

About the Author:

Todd taught illustration at the American Academy of Art from 1984 through 1987, and he continues to give workshops in illustration. His first children's book, The Stone Lion, by Alan Schroeder (Scribners), was published in 1994. Since then, he has illustrated books about such diverse subjects as the Sleeping Beauty ballet, a Native American powwow, and a fatherand-son fishing trip.

Whenever possible, Todd likes to get Firsthand reference for his paintings. He spent several days at the Nanticoke powwow, observing and taking photographs to create the paintings for Red Bird by Barbara Mitchell. Gathering materials for his most recent book, January Rides the Wind: A Book of Months by Charlotte F. Otten, was particularly fun for him. "I got to spend time, lots of time, with these great kids I know, including my sons, Reid and Jesse. And there's a special energy--a vitality-that seems to transfer to the art when you've witnessed the scene yourself. There's nothing like it!"

In His Own Words...

"I was born in Chicago and grew up in the near north suburbs. I can't remember when I started drawing, but it was early. In fact, I won a drawing contest at the age of three. I don't remember what I drew (I was told later that it was Casper the Friendly Ghost and his family), but I do remember the first-place prize, which was a rocking horse.

"Growing up, my two loves were art and sports. So after deciding not to pursue a career as a professional baseball player, I decided to go to art college. The fact that I didn't receive any scholarships to play baseball hastened my decision. The art college of my choice was the American Academy of Art in Chicago. Under the guidance of some of the most talented artists in Chicago, I decided to become an Illustrator.

"After graduating in 1982, I obtained my first commission, a football illustration for a major monthly magazine. I have been working as an illustrator ever since."

From School Library Journal:

Kindergarten-Grade 4?Katie and her parents live in the city. When September arrives, her mother takes a trunk out of the attic and gathers up Katie's dance regalia for the family trip to the annual Nanticoke Powwow near Millboro, DE. As their car draws near the farm where the powwow is held, Katie hears the drums and begins to feel more like Red Bird, which is her Indian name. Camping next to grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles, Red Bird joins in the dancing and listens to her grandparents' stories before heading home at the end of the weekend. Although several photo essays of contemporary powwows (usually in the West) have been published in recent years, this title is unique because it is about an Eastern powwow, and because the illustrations are accurate oil paintings rather than photos. The warm and woodsy double-page art is right on target in conveying the sights of powwows along the East coast. This wonderful offering captures the setting, style of dress, and even the frequent multiracial makeup of many of these nations. Despite one oddly off-base illustration of Nanticokes fishing for crabs that includes Plains tipis instead of longhouses, this book is a fine addition.?Lisa Mitten, University of Pittsburgh, PA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0688108598
• ISBN 13: 9780688108595
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 1
• Illustrator: Doney Todd L. W.