The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush

by Tomie dePaola

Book Overview

In spring, the hills and meadows of Texas and Wyoming are ablaze with the reds, oranges, and yellows of the Indian Paintbrush. How this striking plant received its name is told in an old Indian legend. Many years ago, when the People traveled the Plains, a young Indian boy had a Dream-Vision in which it was revealed that one day he would create a painting that was as pure as the colors of the evening sky at sunset. The boy grew up to become the painter...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399215344
• ISBN13: 9780399215346
• Release Date: April 1988
• Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.84 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.3" x 10.3"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

From a personal fan of the flower

Is it just me, or does de Paolo have one of the best artistic styles out there? Not only is he a master of art, but he is a grand story teller and is able to retell this story with a childlike wonder that, of course, brings out the necessary wisdom and meaning. I'm a fan of this gorgeous little flower, so an accompanying legend is always appreciated. Here is the story of a young boy who is trying to find his place as a man. One night he has a dream where he is instructed to paint the sunset. What follows is a miraculous story that connects both to the native tribes and nature.

I love folk tales

I really enjoy folk tales, and The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush is a beautiful story. Little Gopher paints and spreads his brushes into the fields and the Indian Paintbrushes blossom. The illustrations are beautiful and interesting for children.

Beautiful Tale of Creation

I loved this book and think it is a wonderful way to teach children about how flowers came to be. This book is an excellent way to show students that being an individual is important and that each person is different and is needed!!

Indian Paintbrush

This story is about Little Gopher who was sad because `he couldn't keep up with the other boys who were always riding, running, shooting their bows, and wrestling to prove their strength.' Luckily for him he had his own special talent, a talent for painting and creating.When Little Gopher went out into the hills to think about becoming a man, he had a dream vision. This vision told him to find a white buckskin and to `keep it and one day you will paint a picture that is as pure as the colors in the evening sky.'Little Gopher got the white buckskin soon after, but didn't have the right paints to paint the sunset. He kept trying to achieve the right colors. Every morning he mixed paints in hopes that these ones wouldn't be dull and flat like the others, but to no avail.One night a voice told him to go up on top of a hill next evening at sunset, `Because you have been faithful to the People and to your true gift, you shall find the colors you are seeking.' Little Gopher went to the hill the next evening and, lo and behold, there are brushes full of paint the color of the sunset waiting there for him to paint his masterpiece.Little Gopher painted his masterpiece and when he got done he walked back to his tent, leaving the brushes strewn across the hillside. In the morning the brushes had multiplied and turned into flowers, and little Gopher became known as He-Who-Brought-the-Sunset-to-the-Earth.This book carries several good messages about being true to yourself and not giving up in the face of adversity. It is also a wonderful retelling of a Native American Legend. He book flows wonderfully and the pictures are bright and colorful.Loggie-log-log-log

Follow your dreams

A great story for children of all ages. Teachers could use this book when studying the Plains Indians, Geography of the Plains States or wildflowers. When children know a legend associated with a plant they will retain the knowledge of that plant longer.