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Rating: 
Summary: Brother Eagle, Sister Sky gets 5 stars from me!
Review: Brother Eagle, Sister Sky is a great book about a human being's place on the earth. Kids will also have fun looking for pictures of The Ancestors of Native Americans in the illistrations. I think it's nice for kids to learn about our nations history, and this is a great way for them to do it.
Rating: 
Summary: Teaching lies to children
Review: Everything you will find in this book is [fiction]. While the artistic quality of the illustrations is remarkable, the content has no connection with historical reality. Chief Seattle never left the Puget Sound in his entire life. He never saw a living buffalo, much less the slaughter of buffalo herds. And, most importantly, he never said anything remotely resembling the message in this book. In fact, he was nothing like the gentle environmentalist depicted by Jeffers:...he never made the famous speech upon which this book is based. The actual speech was written in the 1970s by an environmental apologist, originally for a screen play. It is incredible that anyone would pass this off on their children. No matter how strongly you feel about the need to protect the environment, you have a duty to your children to communicate such ideas without resorting to this form of [rewriting history].
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely inspiring
Review: I read this yearly to my class of 5th graders. They too are taken by the amazing illustrations and the beautiful words of Chief Seattle's speech. A great addition to any library. A wonderful way to emphasize ecology.
Rating:
Summary: There are sources to back up the content!
Review: I wrote my review before reading other reviews here on Amazon. After reading reviews questioning the authenticity of the content of this book, I did an Internet search for factual information. A source at the National Archives and Records Association of the USA shows an article by Jerry Clark, which contains information to support the text of this picture book by Susan Jeffers. That article is footnoted with references to source material. There is apparently a huge debate over the authenticity of what Chief Seattle did or did not say. Because I found information to support the content of this book, I will go ahead and do a review and grant it 5 stars for the eloquent text and beautiful illustrations.Text is based on an adaptation of a speech made by Native American Chief Seattle to the new Commissioner of Indian Affairs, during negotiations between the white settlers and the Suquamish and Duwanish tribes in the 1850s. The speech tells of the views held by the ancient peoples, such as humans cannot own land or air or water. The sacredness of the earth and all of its' inhabitants is explained. The connectedness of the human Native Americans to the Earth is eloquently described. This speech is a plea that if they sell the land to the white men, that the land and animals not be ruined. This message is thought to be the first plea and a forewarning of ecology, as Chief Seattle pleas that the land be preserved for the enjoyment of future generations. The first and last pages (an unlabeled introduction and an unlabeled afterward) are factual and historical explanations to explain the body of the text. The text itself is a wonderful and poetically written explanation of the views of the Native Americans. If one wishes to explain these beliefs to a child without getting into the historical elements, simply skip the introduction and the afterward, which may be recommended for reading to the very young who are not yet ready to grasp historical facts and concepts. (My three year old was enthralled with this book, and I think even a two year old would be interested in the main text.) The illustrations are stunning and detailed and are difficult to describe. Very high quality writing and gorgeous illustrations, not to be missed!
Rating:
Summary: Teaching lies to children
Review: If you do some research you'll learn that this speech was actually written for a 1972 movie. Chief Seattle never wrote this speech. Though beautiful, who would want to teach their childen the speech by screenwriter Ted Perry? This book is known as a joke, but the joke will be on you if you buy it! You don't have to take my word for it. Do you own research on Chief Seattle and urban legends to learn more.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent lesson for people of all ages...
Review: My own children are preschoolers, and I bought this book for them. Although they're a bit too young to understand its message about preserving and respecting the earth, they love the pictures, and we find lots to talk about as we turn the pages.
In my work, I teach seventh graders. Now that I own this book, I'm going to look for an opportunity to read it to my middle school students this year. It's message will be inspiring, I think, with that age group.
Rating:
Summary: New Age Tripe
Review: The article that Mrs. Montano refers to in her review actually says that there is overwhleming evidence that Chief Seattle did not make this speech! You can google it up yourself and see. Wanting to believe something does not make it so.
Rating: 
Summary: Beautifully illustrated.
Review: The central underlying message of this book is that we are all connected in a very fragile web of life and that any damage done to one part of the web will eventually effect another. Therefore, we should give all living things the honor and respect they deserve. The words of the book are taken and adapted from Chief Seattle's message in Washington, D.C. The message has always been important, but seems more relevant in the more environmentally conscience world in which we live now. However, the illustrations in this book are beautiful and captivating; they add a great deal to the words. Children enjoy the book and understand it's meaning. A nice book.
Rating:
Summary: Save a brain - RECYCLE THIS BOOK
Review: This is the biggest load of feelgood propaganda I've come across since Stuart Smalley arrived on the set of Saturday Night Live - of course, that was a satire; this unfortunately is for real. Yes, fairy tales are integral parts of literature, and are as important as any other genre. But, fairy tales should be just that - fairy tales...based upon fantastical lands far far away not factual events that merit accurate stories. Regretfully, Ms. Jeffers fails to realize this important point. The result? Many children (and even some adults) will believe the cowdung disseminated in this book. The only reason this book warrants a "One Star" rating is because of its quotes of Chief Seattle and because zero stars was not an option. Want a good fairytale? Check out Robinhood, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, or the now-popular Harry Potter series. Want to find accurate, historical portrayals of American Indians? (...) peruse titles under the subject headings of "History" and "Anthropology".
Rating:
Summary: Brother Eagle, Sister Sky
Review: When I retired from teaching, I gave most of my books away. "Brother Eagle, Sister Sky" is one I dearly held on to. The translated words of Chief Seattle from the 1850's are just as applicable to our environmental concerns today as they were so long ago. This is not only a book for children, but one for all adults. I've often quoted excerpts in letters I've written regarding environmental issues. Every politician or person in the position of making decisions regarding our environment should have this book on his/her desk!
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