Swamp, from the Mohawk Nation, adapts an ancient message that expresses appreciation for Mother Earth and the many aspects of the natural world that his people consider her gifts -- a message still recited at Iroquois ceremonial and governmental gatherings. Printup, a Cayuga-Tuscarora painter, uses highly saturated colors and geometric forms to illustrate Earth's bounties. The message appears in the Mohawk language on the last page.

From the Iroquois, or Six Nations native people, comes Swamp and Printup's first picture book, an adaptation of the Mohawk Thanksgiving Address. The words of this ancient message of appreciation for Earth's bounty are taught to children to utter upon rising, and it is a lovely way of taking stock, of getting situated in the cosmic scheme of things: The waters are thanked, as are the animals, trees, wind, rain, sun, moon, and stars. Swamp has made the address accessible to all ages (". . . thanks to the green grasses that feel so good against our bare feet, for the cool beauty you bring to Mother Earth's floor") without hindering its easy reverence. Printup deploys, apparently, all the colors in nature in rendering the serenely sleek, stylized illustrations. A basic Mohawk language version of the text appears at the end of the book. A simple, tender celebration of good fortune.

"Simple, timeless language bears witness to the Native American reverence for the natural world," wrote PW of this Iroquois salute to Mother Earth. All ages. (Sept.)

The flat planes and saturated colors of Printup's highly stylized acrylic paintings form a handsome backdrop to this ancient Iroquois message of thanksgiving, adapted for children by a chief of the Mohawk nation. A salute to Mother Earth and all her beauty, the ``good morning message'' is traditionally delivered at the beginning of each day and at special ceremonies. Its simple, timeless language bears witness to the Native American reverence for the natural world and sense of unity with all living things (``We give thanks to green grasses that feel so good against our bare feet, for the cool beauty you bring to Mother Earth's floor"). The gifts of the earth (``good foods... our life sustainers''; ``Grandfather Thunder Beings'') are richly depicted in paintings of wildlife and bountiful harvests. Horizontal bands of color suggest receding landscapes, pristine skies and oceans. This eye-catching book, a debut for both author and artist, would pair well with Susan Jeffers's Brother Eagle, Sister Sky for a story-telling session. All ages. (Sept.)

K-Gr 3--Drawing on Six Nation (Iroquois) ceremonial tradition, the text speaks concise thanks to Mother Earth, to water, grass fruits, animals, to the wind and rain, sun, moon and stars, to the Spirit Protectors of our past and present, ``for showing us ways to live in peace and harmony,'' and to the Great Spirit, giver of all. The simplicity and familiarity of the message do not diminish the moving effect of the lengthening catalog of blessings. At first glance, the art, while colorful and very legible, seems overly conventional; closer inspection, however, reveals an interesting use of pattern in the faces of both humans and animals, variation between distant landscape and close-up still-life composition, and a satisfying buildup of momentum to the dramatic, fire-lit night scene of the final invocation to the spirits. The entire text is reproduced in Mohawk on the last page (without a pronunciation guide, alas). A brief prefatory note makes the very valuable suggestion that the giving of thanks should be a daily, rather than a rare, activity. This book is not just for the ``Native American shelf'': its contribution is more inspirational than ethnographic.--Patricia (Dooley) Lothrop Green, St. George's School, Newport, RI