Book Review: Moonstick

Bunting, Eve. Moonstick: The Seasons of the Sioux. Joanna Cotler Books, 1997.

Moonstick: The Seasons of the Sioux is a wonderful book written by Eve Bunting. It describes a young Dakota Indian boy coming of age under the thirteen moons of the Sioux year. His father has a moonstick which he makes a notch in each time there is a change in the season or new moon. It is meant to represent a new year. During each season the young boy sees how things change and how his tribes way of living changes. This picture book is set up in a way to help the reader understand the different seasons of the Sioux and follow a boy’s journey towards manhood. The way the book is set up is very unique and the pictures depict the different seasons. The book begins with the Moon of the Birth of Calves following through to the Moon of the Thunderstorms, Moon of the Frost on the Tipi and ending with the Moon when the Grass Comes up.

This Native American story allows readers to venture into life as a Native American by the very inviting pictures. It depicts the Sioux culture very realistically while at the same time incorporating a message to children who may not fully know their ancestral background. This book is a great one to have in the classroom helping children to learn about different cultures. This story gives facts of the Sioux culture in a very interesting and poetic way. This is a very fun way for children to have fun with this book and use it to the fullest extent.

Author Eve Bunting is a very versatile author who has written over one hundred children’s books. She has researched different topics and enjoys writing about a diverse array of topics. Illustrator John Sandford has traveled to many Sioux Indian Museums in order to research paintings especially for this book. Through his research he became very informed of the Sioux Indians and their culture. This book has wonderful illustrations depicting very real events.