The Great Buffalo Race: How the Buffalo Got Its Hump

Grade 1-3-A stilted retelling of a Seneca legend that was collected by Arthur C. Parker 70 years ago. In far-off times, the Tribe of Buffalo would gather annually to choose a day to race to new fields. The story focuses on the rivalry between the old leader and a new upstart. The two convince their followers to accompany them on a wild race to determine who will dominate the herd. The real hero is the old leader's son, who wisely chooses to stay behind while the rivals run their factions towards certain death. The story is both too complicated and too inconsequential to be a successful picture book. Some of the plot elements create problems for the illustrator. For instance, it is only at the end of the story, as a punishment from the Great Spirit, that the buffalo get their characteristic hump and low profile; the not-quite-buffalo in the majority of the pictures are just not convincing creatures. Davie also seems constrained by the colors of the drought-stricken prairie, which become monotonous despite some interesting watercolor techniques. It isn't until the Great Spirit enters the visual scene-with his bold white Seneca dress and lighting bolts-that the illustrations begin to come to life.
Carolyn Polese, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.