Creation of a California Tribe: Grandfather's Maidu Indian Tales

This children's book relates the story of Travis and Laura and how their grandfather, a Maidu Indian, teaches them about their history and culture through stories. The book stresses the importance of storytelling as the traditional way of passing on the history of Indian peoples. As part of a school project, Travis tells his classmates the Maidu creation story, told to him many times by his grandfather. The story features Coyote, Earthmaker, and Robin and tells how they created animals, plants, and human beings. Travis' classmates are very interested and ask him many questions about Maidu Indian culture and history. When his granddaughter Laura visits from Los Angeles, grandfather also shares Maidu stories with her. Finally, grandfather visits Travis' school and tells the students the story of brave Thunder Boy. (LP)