This picture book winner of a Mom’s Choice Award from The Just For Mom Foundation is enchanting. The story is the second book published in the Prairie Tales Series by South Dakota State Historical Society Press and offers a whimsical look at the prairie through the retelling of a Native American folktale. The story itself was originally published by Zitkala-Ša in 1921 as one in a collection titled American Indian Stories. In this rendition the tale is paired with the delightful illustrations of S.D. Nelson.

The story is simple and fantastical. Field mice painted and in full ceremonial dress dance about a bonfire ignited inside a buffalo skull until they are dispersed by the surprise arrival of a wildcat. The story gives readers just a glimpse into this other world, but a charming one. The beautiful illustrations are rich in color and detail and very engaging. The colorfully garbed mice and the bright yellow of the cat’s eyes fascinated my four-year-old daughter. She described the story as “funny” and “exciting.”

I enjoyed the light touch that the author and illustrator of this book took in conveying the feeling of the prairie. It is first and foremost and beautiful picture book that just happens to provide a window into a unique culture. I also appreciated the author’s choice of words that might be new to a young reader or listener such as “frolic,” “nigh,” “stealthy” and “venison.” A helpful glossary at the back of the book defines these terms for the reader.

The site of the mice’s revelries, the skull of a dead animal, may distress some readers. Also, the mice dine on deer meat (venison) along with their dried root. Finally, when the cat’s yellow eyes appear through the sockets of the buffalo skull one of the mice exclaims that the buffalo’s spirit has returned.

I received my copy of this hardcover picture book free as an “Early Reviewer” and am really delighted to add it to my book collection.  I gave this book a 5 star rating at LibraryThing.com.