Two siblings spend a day out on the prairie in this work of picture-book historical fiction from Lakota author/illustrator S.D. Nelson. Sister Girl and Young Wolf enjoy identifying different shapes in the clouds above them, until the sky darkens and animals begin to rush past. Fleeing from a prairie fire, the brother and sister take refuge in a stream, emerging afterward to find the world a blackened wasteland. Not sure of how to find their way home, when all landmarks have been destroyed, the pair encounter the spirit of their grandmother, Elk Tooth Woman, who helps to show them the way...

Although The Star People: A Lakota Story is not a traditional folktale, it does incorporate some interesting folk beliefs, regarding the Cloud People and the Star People, whose significance is mentioned in Nelson's afterword. I would imagine that the idea of the stars being the spirits of our ancestors - something that reminded me of the similar Inuit belief about the Northern Lights - must have been a comforting one, to people looking up into the dark nighttime sky. The narrative here is engaging, and is paired with artwork that is simply beautiful. Done in acrylic paint on watercolor paper, the illustrations are lovely, with a gorgeous color palette, and stylized figures that were inspired by the Ledger Book Art of the 19th century. I don't know that this is destined to become one of my favorites, of S.D. Nelson's books - so far, I have preferred his picture-book biographies - but it is quite appealing. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for historical stories with a Lakota/Native American cultural backdrop. ( )

Dive into a story of the Lakota Native Americans in "The Star People: A Lakota Story". As told by author S. D. Nelson this book and its beautiful illustrations tell about Native American legends. The book depicts a set of siblings out exploring, day dreaming and looking at the shapes of the clouds in the sky. When the older sister sees a storm heading their way she suggests they head home. Behind them though a prairie fire begins. They find protection in a nearby stream until the fire has stopped. Looking up they see the Star People in the sky and one in particular, the children's grandmother, helps them find their way home. A lovely story to introduce Native American legends and folk lore to young children. I enjoyed the Native American illustrations which were beautifully and accurately done. ( )

When Young Wolf and his older sister wander from their village and face the danger of a prairie fire, Elk Tooth Woman, their deceased grandmother who is now one of the Star People, appears to guide them.

This is an amazing literature it's the story about a girl protecting her brother from the elements it's a beautiful tale of tradition ,culture and the Indian Tribes extraordinary ( )

What a fantastic book. The story is interesting and the pictures are colorful. This is a story about a young sister and brother of the Lakota Tribe, Sister Girl and Young Wolf. They wander off and have to find their way back home. It is a wonderful story of family and all living creatures. ( )