How Turtle's Back Was Cracked: A Traditional Cherokee Tale retold by Gayle Ross

Bibliography
Ross, Gayle. 1995. How Turtle's Back Was Cracked: A Traditional Cherokee Tale. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers.

Illustrator: Murv Jacob
ISBN: 0-8037-1728-8

Summary
Turtle's back is cracked when the wolves decide Turtle must die for insulting wolves.

Critical Analysis
Author and storyteller, Gayle Ross, is known for using the tales she heard as a child from her Native American grandmother as inspiration for her stories.

The author's note at the beginning of the story is evidence of the Native American influence this story has to offer. Ms. Ross admits to adding "detail and character development consistent with the culture [Cherokee] from which the story springs." Many times Native American tales explain or teach a lesson. In this story, Ross explains how turtles back became cracked. Another piece of evidence is when Ross explains it is "a custom for a hunter to take what is called a tribute from an animal he has killed." Turtle takes wolf's ears as a tribute.

The pictures by Jacob provide most of the Native American cultural markers in the story. The homes shown are one type of built by Native Americans. The illustrations also show the Native Americans wearing moccasins and clothing made from animal skins. Some of the Native Americans are decorated with symbols on their clothing, beads, and feathers in their hair. The Native Americans are also carrying spears or sticks with feather on the end. They also have dark skin and dark hair.

How Turtle's Back was Cracked is a fun and witty story. The biographical information on the jacket flap about the author and illustrator support the authenticity of their Native American influence. A reader may cautiously assume the Native American cultural markers in this story are authentic and accurate.

Review Excerpts
Kirkus Review announces, "This old Cherokee tale has humor with a kick; Jacob's densely detailed, stylized acrylic paintings add a bit of the surreal" (1995).

Booklist states, "[T]his Cherokee pourquoi tale has a flavor all its own. Ross notes that she remembers the tale from her childhood, found a written source, and developed it through storytelling to its present form. Jacob's distinctive acrylic paintings illustrate the story's dramatic moments in scenes rich in colors and patterns. An entertaining picture book to read aloud" (1995).

Connections
This story would be a good book to use with students studying Native American stories and legends, such as these other books by Gayle Ross:

The Legend of Windigo: A Tale from Native North America
How Rabbit Tricked Otter and other Cherokee Trickster Tales