Murv Jacob – illustratör

In Ji-Stu the Rabbit's forest, the rain has stopped falling and the river is drying up. Soon the forest creatures will have no water to drink. One day Ji-Stu has an idea: there's plenty of water deep in the ground. What the animals need is a well!All his neighbors agree, and they begin at once to dig a well. Everyone, that is, except Ji-Stu the Rabbit! He spends his time relaxing while the others work day after day digging the well. After all, it was his idea to dig the well in the first place!At last the well diggers reach cold, clear water. Ji-Stu wants to join in the celebration and refill his empty water pots, but quickly learns that he is not welcome at the well. Because he refused to help, he shall have none of the precious water. But the trickster rabbit has plans of his own to get all the water he needs - for free!

When the animals of the south-eastern woodlands challenge the Birds to a game of stickball, two of the smallest animals are not allowed to play. The Bear, the Deer, and the other big animals think they are too small to compete. In this ancient Cherokee story the little animals find a way to play in the Great Ball Game. This is a story about courage in the face of adversity, the thrill of the game, and the joy of victory. Teaching the virtues of creativity and determination, it takes us to a magical time when the animals talked and wonderful things happened in our world. Murv Jacob's beautiful drawings bring the characters of Cherokee legend to life, and Deborah Duvall's dialogue explains the ceremonial preparations and the rules of stickball, a game integral to Cherokee culture that is played enthusiastically to this day.

Suitable for ages 8+, this is an adventure story based on characters from Cherokee tradition, including Ji-Stu (Rabbit) and his friends Otter, Sa-lo-li (Squirrel), and the mysterious Wampus Cat. Ji-Stu, the Messenger for all the animals, is asked by Otter to tell Sa-lo-li it is a good day to plant. Much to his delight, Ji-Stu is invited to help Sa-lo-li plant the hickory nuts, walnuts, pecans, and acorns that will become new trees, keeping the forest thick and beautiful. Ji-Stu and Sa-lo-li only laugh when the elderly squirrel White Oak warns them to watch out for Wampus Cat. Before the planting is done, their laughter turns to fright as they narrowly escape with their lives! Based on the ancient Cherokee teaching that squirrels keep the woods alive and should not be hunted, ""Rabbit Plants the Forest"" combines Jacob's colour paintings and a blending of Cherokee mythology with scientific facts about animals and their places in our world.

Come along as Ji-Stu the Rabbit and his friend Wildcat follow the North Star for days until they find a giant cottonwood tree. It stands atop a tall hill covered with sunflowers. According to an old story, this hilltop is home to a tribe of mysterious birds with shining red heads and brilliant blue bodies. Ji-Stu has seen two of their feathers, and he is willing to travel as far as he must go to find more! As they reach the top of Sunflower Hill, Ji-Stu and Wildcat are about to discover that these red and blue birds have much more to offer than beautiful feathers. They teach Ji-Stu an exciting new game that will make him famous back home in Indian Territory (Oklahoma), while Wildcat's own legend is only just beginning!