Legend of the Indian Paintbrush

Title:               The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush
Category:       Picture book
Grade:            K - 4
Author:          Tommie dePaola
Illustrator:      Tommie dePaola
Publisher:       G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Date:               1988
Pages:             32


Summary:     
Following in the footsteps of Legend of the Bluebonnet, this story tells of Little Gopher.  Both the shaman and his dream vision assure him that he is not to be a warrior.  Instead he will make his mark upon the People by painting their histories and their great dream visions.  The Spirits promise too that one day he will paint a picture “as pure as the colors in the evening sky.” When Little Gopher is faithful to his path, the Spirits fulfill the prophecy – brushes full of brilliant color grow from the ground to allow him to paint the sunset.  The discarded brushes take root in the soil and become the well-known wildflower, the Indian Paintbrush. 

Review:

DePaola’s tales are always respectfully told, beautifully illustrated and entirely memorable.  Legend of the Indian Paintbrush is no disappointment.