How the Robin Got Its Red Breast: A Legend of the Sechelt People

Jean Free, formerly an elementary-school teacher-librarian, is currently
a library consultant in Ontario.

Legends of the Sechelt (a division of the Coast Salish) Native peoples
are told in these large-size, picture-book-format stories with
illustrations by Charlie Craigan, a member of this band.

How the Robin Got Its Red Breast tells the story of how this cheery
grey bird helped save the people by keeping the fire burning, and, in
doing so, had his breast become red. Mayuk, the Grizzly Bear is the tale
of an awesome bear hunted by the Sechelt men when their villagers near
Howe Sound become hungry. With the assistance of their dog, three
brothers manage to kill the cunning grizzly.

Both are good read-aloud stories, with a folkloric style that lends
itself to storytelling. And both would be useful additions to a folklore
or Native peoples unit for primary or early junior grades. After reading
the stories, or hearing the stories told, students could write or tell
their own version of the Native people’s explanation of various
aspects of nature. Craigan’s dramatic black-and-white illustrations
provide an authentic source from which children can create pictures to
interpret their own story. Recommended.