A Walk to the Great Mystery

A Walk to the Great Mystery. Virginia A. Stroud. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 1995. 32 pages. $14.99 (Hardcover) ISBN 0-8037-1637-0. Grades K-3.

My Thoughts...

When I first saw this book I must admit I judged it by its cover, the illustration put me off. I don’t know why, but it did. I know that is horrible, but it’s true, and I am scared that the same would happen to a potential reader in the target audience. I mean kids are just as quick to judge as me…maybe. I think it was because of the pink skin, tiny eyes, and weird blush circles on the cheeks. I loved the story itself, however. Stroud used so many details! It was great to get caught up in the great descriptions. I hate, however, that I think the words painted a better picture than the illustrations did. I loved that nature and the earth was the focus of this book, as it tends to be in Native American literature. I loved how the grandmother character encouraged questions and self-discovery and observation rather than just telling her grandchildren what to look for. I think this book encourages curiosity, patience, and examination of the outside world. I think children are naturally curious and love to explore, but I think that the video games, internet, etc of today has taken that away. I think in cultures where the world itself and nature are important that children really experience things differently. The literature about these cultures really sheds a light on cultural differences. In this case I think it encourages readers to look out their windows, in their back yards so they can find their own Great Mystery. This book reminded me a little of SkySisters by Jan Bourdeau Waboose because the two little girls in that story went out to discover nature in their part of the world. This Native American children’s book also focused on the magic and mystery that exists in the natural world.