Kunu's Basket: A Story from Indian Island
Kunu, a Penobscot Indian boy, is frustrated by his first attempts to make a basket. He rejects his dad’s offer of help, then his grandfather asks if Kunu can help him, and together they pound strips of ash until they’re thin and start weaving a basket bottom. As they work, Kunu’s grandfather points out his own first basket—sitting in the corner of the room—noting it took him seven tries to get the base right when he made it. This inspires Kunu to try working on his own basket one more time. Kunu’s sense of frustration, and later pride and accomplishment, are wonderfully realized in Lee DeCora Francis’s story about a contemporary Native family, as is the sense of continuity across generations. Susan Drucker’s somewhat static illustrations are enlivened by the intriguing details she incorporates, including insets showing a variety of baskets. ©2012 Cooperative Children's Book Center
Illustrated by Susan Drucker
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 5-9
Age Range:
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format:
Picture book
Subjects:
Art and Artists
Fathers
First/Native Nations
Frustration
Grandfathers
Penobscot People
Perseverance
Diversity subject:
Indigenous
Publisher:
Tilbury House
Publish Year: 2012
Pages: 32
ISBN: 9780884483304
CCBC Location: Picture Book, Francis