The Cahuilla (Native American People)

Gr 3-5--Three titles in the crowded field of books on Native American tribes. Focusing mostly on pre-contact cultures, the Dohertys examine each group's origins, food, hunting, arts and crafts, political and social organization, religion, clothing, games, European contact, and the people today. Anemic paintings do little to convey any information; they often veer close to stereotypes. Also, the illustrations do not vary much among the three books, despite the fact that the Huron, Chickasaw, and Cahuilla live in completely different areas of the country. The material presented is often inaccurate or condescending (``The Cahuilla had a complete political and social organization.''). What human beings have ``incomplete'' political and social organizations, and just what is an incomplete society, anyway? The series from Chelsea House and Children's Press cover the same tribes much better.

Lisa Mitten, University of Pittsburgh, PA

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