
Explore Native American Cultures! with 25 Great Projects introduces readers to seven main Native American cultural regions, from the northeast woodlands to the Northwest tribes. It encourages readers to investigate the daily activities--including the rituals, beliefs, and longstanding traditions--of America's First People. Where did they live? How did they learn to survive and build thriving communities? This book also investigates the negative impact European explorers and settlers had on Native Americans, giving readers a glimpse into the complicated history of Native Americans.
Readers will enjoy the fascinating stories about America's First People as leaders, inventors, diplomats, and artists. To enrich the historical information, hands-on activities bring to life each region's traditions, including region-specific festivals, technology, and art. Readers can learn Native American sign language and create a salt dough map of the Native American regions. Each project is outlined with clear step-by-step instructions and diagrams, and requires minimal adult supervision.Anita Yasuda is a qualified Montessori and early childhood education teacher and the author of more than 20 books, including the Being Green series, Explore the Solar System!, Explore Water!, Greetings from Buffalo, and Hello Kitty: Cute, Creative & Collectible. She lives in Huntington Beach, California.
Jennifer K. Keller is an illustrator with an MFA from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. She lives in San Jose, California.School Library Journal
"This lively and informative introduction is divided into six regions (Northeast Woodlands, Southeast, Southwest and Mesoamerica, Great Plains, Pacific Northwest, and Arctic). Each section provides a concise overview of the tribes, their food, housing, ceremonies, clothing, and games. There are roughly dive kid-friendly activities per regions, ranging from shell rattles to Mayan glyphs, a bear-claw necklace to Inuit sculpture. A "Words to Know" box appears on almost every page, explaining highlighted words that are used in the text. Although the format is somewhat busy, the scattered sections of text and black-and-white drawings are relevant and fun. "Then and Now," "Wow" facts", and occasional, playful "Just for Laughs" box, complement the overall package. (What has hundreds of ears but can't hear a thing? A crop of corn!) And children will lean that the phrase "bury the hatchet" (meaning to make peace with) likely comes from literally putting one's war tools underground. A wide range of ages will be able to take something away from this entertaining and useful title. "