Crazy Horse's Vision

April 3, 2000
As he did in Gift Horse, Sioux artist Nelson blends contemporary and traditional elements for the striking illustrations that accompany this story of the legendary Lakota warrior. Bruchac (A Boy Called Slow: The True Story of Sitting Bull) traces Crazy Horse's boyhood, zeroing in on a pivotal event in his life and highlighting an important Native American rite of passage. As a youth, Crazy Horse (then known as Curly) witnesses U.S. Army soldiers brutally and unjustly attack his people. Troubled, he embarks on a vision quest and sees a figure on horseback riding untouched through a storm of lightning, hail and bullets. His father interprets the vision, telling him that "the man on that horse is the one you will become" and that he is destined to defend his people. Bruchac's description of the vision quest is compelling, and his decision to limit his canvas to a few select events demonstrates his understanding of his audience; an afterword describes subsequent events in the warrior's life. Endmatter also illuminates Nelson's approach. The artist explains his approximations of the Plains Indians' traditional ledger-book style (characterized by indistinct facial expressions and flat, two-dimensional figures) and his symbolic use of color (Crazy Horse is painted blue, representative of a connection with the spirit world). His sweeping vistas and somewhat ghostly textured brushwork bolster the book's visionary theme. Ages 6-up.

July 1, 2000
K-Gr 5-Crazy Horse is the revered Lakota warrior who defeated General Custer during the Battle of Little Bighorn. Bruchac provides this information and much more in an author's note, but the main narrative involves scenes of his subject's youth. He presents details from oral history, such as "Curly's" quiet nature, early leadership skills, and vision quest. The boy sought divine inspiration after his tribe was invaded by white settlers; the vision, which taught him to "Keep nothing for yourself," was to guide him throughout his life. Nelson's note acknowledges the influence of his ancestors' ledger-book style on his acrylic paintings executed on wood panels. The artist uses stylized figures, symbolic color, and texture to create dynamic scenes. While there are many stylistic similarities to Nelson's art in Gift Horse (Abrams, 1999), here the artist has a stronger sense of book design, and takes better advantage of double-page spreads, full bleeds, and tight croppings. Older children will appreciate comparing the images to the 19th-century ledger-book drawings reproduced in Russell Freedman's The Life and Death of Crazy Horse (Holiday, 1996). A fine introduction to a hero long overlooked.-Wendy Lukehart, Dauphin County Library, Harrisburg, PA

Copyright 2000 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2000
Gr. 2^-4, younger for reading aloud. Crazy Horse, famous Lakota warrior and leader during the mid-1800s, was different even as a child. He was called Curly because of his curly hair, and he was small in stature and quiet. He was, however, a natural leader, inspiring others with his bravery and generosity. After witnessing white soldiers kill Conquering Bear, the 14-year-old Curly went into the hills to seek a vision. After three days, the vision appeared, but his father and uncle would not listen because Curly had not prepared himself in the traditional manner. Three years later, his father asked Curly about the vision, and as a result, gave his son the name Tashunka Witco, or Crazy Horse. Bruchac has created a memorable tale about Crazy Horse's childhood, capturing the spirit of one of the most dedicated and daring leaders among the Lakota. In beautiful illustrations inspired by the ledger book style of the Plains Indians, Sioux artist Nelson fills the pages with both action and quiet drama. An author's note provides information about Crazy Horse's adult years and death, and an illustrator's note explains the art. ((Reviewed May 15, 2000))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2000, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2000
This fictionalized biography covers Crazy Horse's early years. Focusing on his vision quest, in which Crazy Horse sees himself as an invincible leader, Bruchac paints the stoic but brilliant tactician and warrior as a hero. Nelson's acrylics on wooden panels, patterned after children's drawings in ledger books from the Indian boarding schools, are also reminiscent of the figures drawn by Plains Indians. An author's and an illustrator's note are appended.

(Copyright 2000 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)