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Each book in the Prairie Tale series contains an introduction full of historical information, a word list to help young readers with some of the harder vocabulary, and a short bibliography. The bibliography will help interested teachers, parents, and children learn more about the Great Plains, the animals in the stories, and the authors who wrote the tales.
Over the next few months, short guides will be developed to help teachers use these books in their classrooms and to give parents something to stimulate discussion with their children about the books.
Here is the word list from The Discontented Gopher
abide—live
abodes—houses; living spaces
ancestors—family members from the past
anigh—near
animate—bring to life
bounty—reward
conceited—overly pleased with oneself
convulsive—jerking
contentment—happiness; peace of mind
descendants—offspring
discreet—careful
effaced—efforts
Indian Corn—maize; yellow corn
illumined—lighted up
knoll—a small hill
monotony—dull routine; boredom
persistent—staying at something; lasting
secrete—hide
smote—hit
spasmodic—moving in short, quick jerks
summit—the highest point; top
taint—a trace of something bad
talisman—a charm
tenacity—stubbornness; ability to hold fast
traversed—traveled across
vainglory—too much pride |
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Here is the word list from Dance in a Buffalo Skull
dismally—with sadness
disturbed—scared; startled
frolic—dance and play; have fun
gay—happy
horizon—where the land and sky meet
nigh—close by; near
pitchy—as dark as tar
prowling—moving around in search of something
queer—strange
stealthy—quiet
unaccustomed—not usual
unconscious—not aware of
unheeded—not paid attention to
venison—deer meat |
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