How chipmunk got his stripes

Bruchac, Joseph and James Bruchac.  2001.  How Chipmunk got his stripes.  Ill. by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey.   New York: Dial Books for Young Readers.  ISBN 0803724047

Plot:

In the beginning of the story, there is a bear and chipmunk disputing over the sunrise.  They continue a discussion of what will happen in the morning.  Will there be darkness or light?  Of course, the know it all bear thinks that he has the power to control the sunrise.  To make matters worse, the squirrel is name calling using words that can be deemed hurtful. 

Critical Analysis:

The characters of the book are the bear and the Squirrel, which is referred in the end of the book, as the chipmunk.  Within the story there are minimal supporting characters and are bystanders rather than intertwined in the storyline.    

The theme of the story is that someone wants to be right   There seems to be a power struggle between the bear and the squirrel.  Each is looking to be in control of mother nature.  As each page is turned there is a whimsical tone with regards to the illustrations.  They are colorful and appealing ,in order to, grab the audience's attention.  The illustrations correlate to the storyline that creates a cohesive main idea.

The moral lesson of the story brings the book together, in the sense that each page is a learning experience. Making fun of someone's mistakes is clearly wrong because it  creates anger and humiliation.    The story makes emphasis on that lesson.  Of course, the bear is not amused by the humiliation and ends up trying to hurt the squirrel. 

The story brings attention to bullying, which in any form, is incorrect behavior.  The moral of the story is to acknowledge the wrong behavior and offer an apology, whenever possible.  No one deserves to be humiliated in a private or public setting.  The book offers important life lessons to children and brings an awareness to the consequences that can influence future behavior.

Excerpts:

From School Library Journal: "He is now Chipmunk, the Striped One."

Oliff, Grace.  Review of How Chipmunk got his stripes by Joseph Bruchac and James Bruchac.   School Library Journal 47(2):109. 

From Kirkus Reviews: "Cleaver use of perspective emphasizes the difference in size between boastful Bear and his pint-sized trickster opponent."

Kirkus Reviews.  2000.  "Review of How Chipmunk got his stripes by Joseph Bruchac and James Bruchac.  Accessed September 22.  https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/joseph-bruchac/how-chipmunk-got-his-stripes/.

Connections:

other books by Joseph Bruchac

Children of the Longhouse  ISBN 0140385045

The Earth under Sky Bear's feet  ISBN 069811647X

The First Strawberries ISBN 01405644098

                       

-Activities for children-

Children can be asked to write why is it wrong to make fun of someone.

Ask children to learn how to prevent bullying and notify a teacher if they see it happening.

Children can be asked to write why name calling is wrong.  What are the consequences of name calling?

Ask children if they know what to do if they see someone being made fun of.

Personal Response:

            I love the story because it gives life lessons that children and adults should know.  Being a bully, no matter the age group, is morally wrong.  This is an introduction to learning what is acceptable behavior.  A teacher or parent can start by teaching children appropriate behaviors to different situation.  The book teaches children right from wrong.  It teaches children that consequences are due to our own actions.   I would recommend the book to parents.