BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bruchac, Joseph. 1993. THE FIRST STRAWBERRIES: A CHEROKEE STORY. Ill. by Anna Vojtech. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0803713312
PLOT SUMMARY
The first couple, created by the Creator , were happy until one day they quarreled. The woman, upset with her husband’s harsh words, left on foot. The regretful husband went after her but was unable to catch her quick steps. The Sun, having watched the events unfold, felt sorry for the husband and chose to help him. He sent raspberries first but they did not catch the eye of the wife. The Sun then sent blueberries and then blackberries but neither caught the eye of the wife. Finally, the Sun sent strawberries that “glowed like fire.” The wife saw the berries and was amazed at their sweetness. She began to pick them to give to her husband. The two reunite at the strawberries and forgive each other for their quarrel. According to the Cherokee story, this is when strawberries were created on Earth and they will always be a reminder “to be kind to each other” and “that friendship and respect are as sweet as the taste of ripe, red berries.”
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The story of THE FIRST STRAWBERRIES maintains its early integrity and is simply retold by Bruchac. The two main characters reflect common human qualities of anger and quarreling. The story is set in the beginning of time, far away from here and includes an outside moving setting. The woman travels away from her husband in a very short amount of time and events happen quickly. The primary purpose of this story is for moral teaching. It supports a universal lesson of treating each other kindly. This final realization by the couple is rewarding to the reader. Bruchac’s story contains cultural references such as the husband being the hunter and gatherer while the wife should be at home cooking the meal. The Cherokee also commonly refer to nature and in this story it is the Sun that brings them back together. The illustrations showcase their way of dressing and looking. The illustrations also keep the story going as some pages do not have any text. The literal picture of the wife walking away helps the reader grasp the feeling the wife has and her determination to leave. The pictures are mainly neutral colors which provide a somber and calm mood. This also allows the strawberries to jump off the page with their bright red color. The bright, cheeriness of the strawberries encourages the excitement of the reader as the couple reunites. The simplicity of the story and the illustrations makes it easy to uphold the moral of the story and repeat the story without having the book.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Kirkus Review – “Quietly luminous watercolors capture details of dress, dwelling, implements, flora, and fauna against an open landscape of rolling hills.”
Publisher’s Weekly – "Spare text, an uncomplicated story line and gentle illustrations keep this quiet but resonant tale accessible to even the youngest child…"
CONNECTIONS
*Compare to the following books:
"The Legend of the Strawberries." In Chiltoskey, Mary Ulmer. Aunt Mary, Tell Me A Story: A Collection of Cherokee Legends and Tales. Ed. Mary Regina Ulmer Galloway. Cherokee, NC: Cherokee Communications, 1990.
*In doing study of the Cherokee Indians, students can read one of many Cherokee –tale books. The Librarian could pull a cart of them, set them up and have students pick one.
*Ask questions about how the characters felt and what the moral of the story is and then follow up with self-concept lessons and the power of speaking kindly to others.
*Use playdough as your self-concept and have the students say something negative about you and rip off a part of the playdough and keep it in their lap. Show them how your self-concept is diminished and hurt and broken-down by their words. Then have the students replace their playdough and say a positive comment about you. Discuss the importance of building other’s up.
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