Keepers of Life: Discovering Plants Through Native Stories and Earth Activities for Children

Mary Stevens is an elementary-school teacher-librarian with the Waterloo
Roman Catholic Separate School Board.

This is the fourth title in a series of well-received interdisciplinary
environmental books. It shares with its predecessors, Keepers of the
Earth, Keepers of the Animals, and Keepers of the Night, a focus not on
mastery through knowledge but on interconnection.

Part 1 introduces readers to the environmental crisis facing North and
Central America, and establishes possible methodologies. Part 2 combines
the ancient wisdom of First Nations peoples and the modern knowledge of
ecological scientists. The book’s major themes are developed by means
of stories followed by discussion, questions, and multisensory
activities. The activities call for readily available materials, and can
be adapted for students aged 5 to 15. For older students, Bruchac lists
other sources and versions of his stories. Black-and-white photographs,
illustrations, and maps enhance the text.

Highly recommended as research source or curricular support.