When a chief's daughter sees two boys boasting about being "great hunters" and taking all the frogs out of a nearby pond, she has no idea that it's the beginning of an epic quest. The last remaining frog in the lake takes her deep beneath the surface, where she meets the frog people's grandmother, weeping bitterly over the loss of her children. She promises to help as best she can.
When she returns to the surface, the girl realizes that an earthquake is rumbling and Volcano Woman is threatening an eruption that would destroy the village. Only the chief's daughter realizes that Volcano Woman's anger is because of the kidnapped frogs — but by rescuing them, returning them to the lake and restoring balance between the humans and the natural world, she can also restore peace. Inspired by Coastal Native American folktales, this compelling tale is a reminder of the dangers of forgetting our part in the world's balance.
"Lewis tells an original tale based on elements of the mythology of Native peoples of the Pacific Northwest.... Extensive background notes explain how authentic folklore motifs are woven into the story and artwork." — Steven Engelfried, School Library Journal
Recommended Age | 5 - 8 |
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Author | Paul Owen Lewis |
Illustrator | Paul Owen Lewis |
ISBN | 1582460485 |
Publication Date | Jan 19, 2001 |
Publisher | Tricycle Press |
Language | English |