(4) K-3 Illustrated by Murv Jacob. In Duvall's original folktale based on Cherokee animal lore, the ravens try to acquire Rabbit's necklace, made of human finger bones. After a long journey, Rabbit begins to understand why the necklace must be returned to the ravens. Jacob's paintings in rich hues are beautifully detailed. The large amount of text on the pages may overwhelm readers.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Murv Jacob. During a drought, Ji-Stu, the rabbit trickster, is discovered to be stealing water from the well he refused to help dig. The other animals set a sticky trap for the lazy trickster in the form of a wolf made of pine pitch. This well-told Cherokee tar baby story is paired with pleasing white-outlined earth-tone illustrations.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) K-3 Grandmother Stories series. Illustrated by Murv Jacob. Trickster Rabbit snares the Chief of All the Wood Ducks but is carried aloft. He uses his considerable wits to escape and returns safely home with a hare-raising tale (but no wood duck). The intricate black-and-white drawings of animals in their woodland habitat add a contemplative dimension to this amusing folktale. No source note is included.

Reviewer: Pamela McCuen

(3) K-3 Grandmother Stories series. Illustrated by Murv Jacob. One autumn, Rabbit accompanies his bear friend Yona to the bears' pre-hibernation gathering place, where he joins in ceremonial dances. The narrative pauses occasionally to offer pieces of Cherokee lore, but this has its own attractions; hints of Rabbit's personality still come through. The intricate white-on-black illustrations teem with Smoky Mountain wildlife.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 Grandmother Stories series. Illustrated by Murv Jacob. In this entertaining retelling, Rabbit is dismayed when all the other animals admire Otter's shiny coat, because he's so vain about his own long, furry tail. He hatches a plan to steal Otter's coat, but the plan goes awry, and Rabbit forfeits his elegant tail. The fairly long and sophisticated text is complemented by a handsome book design, which features detailed white-on-black illustrations.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 Grandmother Stories series. Illustrated by Murv Jacob. This familiar Cherokee tale is retold by a Cherokee historian and illustrated with distinctive illustrations. The folkloric art uses patterned borders and animals in traditional costume to convey the spirit and origins of the tale. In the story, the animals challenge the birds to a game of stickball but lose thanks to the clever playing of the bat and the flying squirrel. A source note is not included.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth