Sunday, December 2, 2007

Anna's Athabaskan Summer



Griese, Arnold. Illustrated by Charles Ragins. Anna’s Athabaskan Summer. Honesdale, Pennsylvania: Boyds Mills Press. 1995.

Anna’s Athabaskan Summer revolves around a young girl who is surrounded by cold and snow until the summer finally comes. During this summer, Anna learns about her people, The Athabaskan Indians. She is taught by her family how her people prepare for the winter ahead and in the ways of the earth. The text is simply told through the eyes of a young girl learning about life. It provides great detail of the emotions a young girl has as she discovers the ways of her people as well as descriptions of the Athabaskan culture. Griese, who spent much time growing up with the Athabaskan people and eventually taught for many years in village, tells about how these people are close and have great understanding of the earth.

Charles Ragins provides detailed illustrations through realistic paintings that correspond to the text. While the text describes the ways of the Athabaskan people, the pictures provide visuals that show the beautiful summers. The illustrations provide a context that cannot be created through words.

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