November 2003~Book of the Month

Song of the Hermit Thrush
by Gloria Dominic
 

Character Trait  = Acceptance

This touching Indian legend will encourage its readers to listen a little more carefully to the sounds they hear from the trees as each day draws to a close. Many, many year’s ago, when all the animals lived together in the forest, a contest was declared. The challenge was to decide which animal was most deserving of singing a song to praise the day. Each animal was given the chance to sing for the others, then the animals together would decide on the creature with the most beautiful voice. It appeared that the eagle would earn the honor, until a tiny little hermit thrush entered the picture. The tale makes so much sense that children and adults will have no trouble believing it. An entire section on the Iroquois comprises the last third of the book, further enriching readers’ knowledge of this tribe and its rich and fascinating history.