Review by Booklist Review
Ages 2-5. From the repertoire of the renowned Chickasaw storyteller comes a cautionary tale about the folly of getting something before one is old enough to take care of it. Baby Rattlesnake wants a rattle on his tail like his older brother and sister have. Tired of his incessant crying, the adults give in to his wish, only to discover that Baby cannot control his delight in shaking his new toy at all the unsuspecting passersby. But Baby learns his lesson one day when he goes too far--he shakes his rattle at the chief's daughter. The short sentences, onomatopoeia, and repetition will hold the attention of the youngest listeners as will the boldly colored, stylized gouache and cut-paper illustrations that depict the endearing Rattlesnake family.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this winning retelling of a Native American tale, poor Baby Rattlesnake cries continuously because he doesn't have a rattle like his older brother and sister. The (rattlesnake) elders of the village finally decide to give in to the youngster, partially to silence his squalling. As predicted, the baby cannot handle the responsibility; when he loses his rattle, he comes crying home to his parents who ``gave him big rattlesnake hugs.'' Reisberg's vivid, fanciful illustrations perfectly depict the Southwestern setting; her many comical touches include a derby-sporting father rattlesnake and a heavily made-up mother. The paintings' sparkling borders make splendid use of regional designs and fauna. Even very small children will understand--and profit from--this deceptively simple story's valuable lesson. Ages 4-10. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-- Baby Rattlesnake wants a rattle that's just like his big brother and sister's in this native American cautionary tale. The young snake makes such a ruckus that the elders decide to give in to him, even though he is still too young to use his rattle wisely. As the elders predict, Baby Rattlesnake creates mischief with his new power. He meets his match, however, when he tries to scare the chief's daughter, who is as strong and decisive as she is beautiful and proud. Humbled and without his rattle, the little snake returns to his forgiving family. Adapted from the work of Te Ata, a Chickasaw storyteller now in her 90s, the story is fast moving, dramatic, and economically told. The collage and cartoonlike paintings are cluttered, but the desert country colors are deftly combined to make the book bright and attractive. This short tale will be a welcomed addition to story hour collections. --Carolyn Polese, Gateway Community School, Arcata, CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
A tale told by an Indian storyteller illustrated with a quasi-Indian flavor. Baby Rattlesnake cries and cries until his parents give him a rattle although he is too young. The amusing story fades away to a weak ending. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Te Ata is a 92-year-old Native American storyteller who was a favorite of Eleanor Roosevelt's. In this amusing retelling of one of her stories, a baby rattlesnake is so insistent that his parents allow him to have a rattle before he is old enough--even though they realize that it will probably get him into trouble. Sure enough, after terrorizing the smaller animals with its sound, he tries to scare the chiefs daughter (recognized because she is ""very beautiful and walks with her head held high, [and]. . .very neat in her dress""). The young woman, however, is undaunted: she crushes his rattle with her heel, leaving Baby Rattlesnake to retreat in tears to be comforted by his loving family. This satisfying cautionary tale is attractively illustrated in sophisticated desert colors, the bold designs framed in imaginative borders and incorporating Native American motifs. The snakes' cartoonish faces (especially Mother's lipstick mouth) jar somewhat, but do serve as a recognizable shorthand of their emotions. A good addition to the folklore shelf. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
