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American Indian Folktales
American Indian Folktales
Click here or on book cover to watch read aloud.
How Chipmunk Got His Stripes: A Tale of Bragging and Teasing
How Chipmunk Got His Stripes: A Tale of Bragging and Teasing
Written by Joseph Bruchac & James Bruchac. Illustrated by Jose Aruego & Ariane Dewey. Published by Puffin Books.
In this Abenaki retelling of the Native American folktale told by many tribes, we learn how brown squirrel became chipmunk and the dangers of bragging and teasing.
This is an example of a pourquoi tale. “Pourquoi” is the French word for “why.” Pourquoi stories are tales that explain why or how something is in the world. Many different cultures all over the world have pourquoi stories.
Write Your Own Pourquoi Story.pdfWrite your own pourquoi tale!
Write your own pourquoi tale!
Use this worksheet to plan out your own pourquoi story, then write and illustrate the story or just a one page summary. (Note: you can't type directly into the sheet, but you can print it out.) Share your creation with Ms. Reid, Driscoll Librarian, anne_reid@pbsma.org, and it just might get posted on this website!
Want more folktales?
Want more folktales?
If you enjoyed How Chipmunk Got His Stripes, there are lots of other great folktales for you to enjoy! Watch the adjacent slidehow to learn about other great Native American folktales from a variety of tribes.
See one you want to read? Check your school library or public library for it!
The Abenaki and Northeast Tribal Nations
The Abenaki and Northeast Tribal Nations
As with any folktale or fairy tale, there are many versions or retellings, and each one is unique. The version of How Chipmunk Got His Stripes told above was retold by father and son team, Joseph and James Bruchac. Joseph Bruchac is a Nulhegan Abenaki citizen. Explore the resources below to learn more about the Abenaki and the Northeast Tribal Nations.
Explore the Tribe's website to learn more about current events, history, culture, and even games!
To learn about the Abenaki and other Northeast Tribal Nations, explore PebbleGo Next. The information is organized by region, and includes lots of actual information, maps, and videos. Click on the PebbleGo icon on the left for screencast directions. Or, use our written directions here.
Username and password: brookline
Virtual Field Trip:
Virtual Field Trip:
The Pequot Museum
The Pequot Museum
The Pequot Museum in Connecticut provides a window into Native American life both past and present. Run by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, the museum features exhibits on the art, history, and culture of the Pequot people.
Take a look at this exhibit of Neetôpáwees, special dolls that are important in Pequot and other Native North American tribal communities.
Read about Creation Myths from various Native cultures in their History and Culture eBook.
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