Otto - Rainbow Legend / Summer Reading "Rainbow of Stories"

This is Native American Heritage Month, with the official day of observance as November 15th. At the same time I've been building my plans for the Collaborative Summer Library Program theme of "Color Our World."

I've prepared A Rainbow of Stories, including songs, an Anansi tale from Africa (told with an Anansi puppet), a Puerto Rican tale of Juan Bobo, the Haitian audience participation tale of Tippingee, as well as a tale the audience will create, and...

a Native American tale from Michigan's own Odawa/Ottawa (People of the the Three Fires known as the Anishinaabe) as recorded by Simon Otto. Nanaboozhoo is the legendary Anishinaabe hero and prankster with magical powers (other spellings and pronunciations exist) and Mukawgee is his dog. Together in the early days when Mother Earth was still growing, they set many things in motion that still exist today.

Simon has gone on The Long Walk, but I'm grateful for his friendship and permission to share the stories he recorded of the Anishinabek. I know his life's mission was to help us all appreciate them. As the title of the book with this story says: Walk in Peace!

I found it interesting that Native American Heritage Month celebrates this rich cultural traditions through the theme of "Rock Your Mocs." The heart of the celebration is taking place from November 10th to 16th, but I will gladly wear my moccasins not only this month, but this summer as a powerful symbol of unity and respect for the ancestors and the diverse cultures that enrich our communities.

Walk in Peace!