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First Fire
An Algonkian Story
Published by Wisdom Tales
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
Table of Contents
About The Book
For fans of acclaimed author, Joseph Bruchac, a First Nations origin story of how humans acquired fire with the help of the animals.
Imagine a time when humans huddled together to keep from freezing in the winters. A time without fire. Fire is one of the most basic needs for survival.
Ancient stories of how it came to us can be found in virtually every human society and the indigenous cultures of North America are no exception.
However, unlike the stories of other continents, Native American traditional tales almost always seek to both entertain and teach. Also, a holistic relationship between humans and the natural world is stressed in many ways. The wisdom and the assistance of the animals are often crucial.
Such is the case in this Algonkian story of how a boy, with the aid of Fox, stole fire from the deadly monsters who selfishly kept it for themselves. Be ready to both enjoy and learn as you read this vibrantly illustrated telling of First Fire.
Imagine a time when humans huddled together to keep from freezing in the winters. A time without fire. Fire is one of the most basic needs for survival.
Ancient stories of how it came to us can be found in virtually every human society and the indigenous cultures of North America are no exception.
However, unlike the stories of other continents, Native American traditional tales almost always seek to both entertain and teach. Also, a holistic relationship between humans and the natural world is stressed in many ways. The wisdom and the assistance of the animals are often crucial.
Such is the case in this Algonkian story of how a boy, with the aid of Fox, stole fire from the deadly monsters who selfishly kept it for themselves. Be ready to both enjoy and learn as you read this vibrantly illustrated telling of First Fire.
About The Illustrator
David Kanietakeron Fadden is an Akwesasne Mohawk artist who was born in New York and grew up in Onchiota. David’s illustrations have appeared in several books, including Skywoman: Legends of the Iroquois and A Peacemaker for Warring Nations: The Founding of the Iroquois League (with Joseph Bruchac), as well as in the Discovery Channel’s, “How the West was Lost: Always the Enemy.” His work has been exhibited at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian. David lives with his family in Kawenoke, at Akwesasne Mohawk Territory, in Ontario, Canada.
Product Details
- Publisher: Wisdom Tales (July 14, 2026)
- Length: 44 pages
- ISBN13: 9781957670225
- Grades: K - 3
- Ages: 4 - 8
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Book Cover Image (jpg): First Fire
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