BUFFALO WOMAN BY PAUL GOBLE

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Goble, Paul. 1984. BUFFALO WOMAN. New York, NY: Bradbury Press. ISBN-10: 0689711093
2. PLOT SUMMARY
In this very romantic book based on a legend from the tribes of the Great Plains, Paul Goble retells and illustrates a beautiful story for all ages. A talented young hunter meets a mysterious maiden and marries her. He is very happy and a young son is born to them. However, his tribe refuses to accept his bride because she is different and is not one of them. When his young bride and his son leave to return to her people, the young hunter unrelentingly follows them. His love for them is constant, even in the face of possible death. His love does not falter even after realizing that his wife is a buffalo, as is his son. His love is tested and when he passes the test, he is given the honor of joining the buffalo. His bravery results in a union between The People and the Buffalo People. Because of his faithfulness, the legend explains, the buffalo people give “their flesh so that little children and babies still unborn, will always have meat to eat.”
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Paul Goble’s beautiful book illustrates a lovely legend/folktale that explains why the buffalo are happy to give their flesh to nourish little children. This pour quoi tale seeks to reassure and help little ones to understand why it is acceptable to eat the flesh their friends, the buffalo. The simple and direct retelling of this tale is accompanied by colorful, elegantly sketched illustrations of native scenes depicting the events in the story.
While reading Buffalo Woman, one could easily imagine oneself transported to a smoky scene around a campfire in an Indian village a long time ago. Little children, stomachs filled with freshly roasted buffalo, listening raptly as an elder in a sing-song voice tells the story of the brilliant hunter/hero who gave himself up to join his wife and child and for their people. Because of his heroic act, the buffalo people accepted humans as their own. In the telling of this legend, the close interdependent relationship between “The People” and the buffalo was explained and honored. The value of the hero sacrificing himself for his family and his people is taught to the next generation.
In our time, Buffalo Woman promotes both acceptance and tolerance for those who are different from us. Goble retells and illustrates a timeless book.
4. AWARDS AND EXCEPTS
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: *STARRED REVIEW* “In text and illustrations, Goble's story exhibits a quiet simplicity, respect for nature and the power of love."
ALA Notable Children's Book
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Booklist Editors' Choice
The Horn Book Fanfare List
5. CONNECTIONS
Readers may also enjoy these folktales based on Native American legends by Paul Goble:
STAR BOY. ISBN-10: 0689714998
THE GIFT OF THE SACRED DOG. ISBN-10: 0020432801
THE GIRL WHO LOVED WILD HORSES. ISBN-10: 0689845049
DREAM WOLF. ISBN-10: 0689815069