Author & Illustrator Profile
Paul Goble
21 Books
Paul Goble was a British-born American author and illustrator known for picture books inspired by Native American traditions, particularly those of the Great Plains. His books often combine bold, highly detailed artwork with sensitive retellings of traditional stories and historical events. Some of his most enduring works include Buffalo Woman, Dream Wolf, and the trickster tales featuring Iktomi. Goble dedicated his career to visually preserving and sharing these vibrant cultural narratives with young readers.
Follow Falling Star as he visits a camp where hunters are constantly foiled by a trickster crow. Crow Chief always warns the buffalo herds when danger approaches, leaving the people hungry and frustrated.
But Falling Star has a brilliant plan. He intends to trick the tricky bird and teach him a lasting lesson about the importance of living together as relatives. This beautifully illustrated story shows how respect and sharing can transform a community.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
32 Pages
Jump in:
Meet a special girl who lives in a village and truly loves horses. She knows just how to speak to them, and they follow her like she's one of their own. She spends her days caring for her tribe's horses, making sure they are happy and well.
Why it pulls you in:
This girl feels a deep connection to the wild horses that roam free. She dreams of running with them, feeling the wind in her hair and the earth beneath her hooves. Will she ever get to live out her dream and join her beloved wild horses? This beautiful story will make you think about what it means to be truly free.
What's inside:
Paul Goble's simple, heartfelt words and amazing, colorful pictures bring this ancient story to life. You'll be swept away by the spirit of the horses and the girl who understood them best.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
A young Cheyenne girl renowned for her beautiful embroidery knows she has seven brothers she has never met. Guided by unseen powers, she journeys to the north country to find them, bringing exquisitely decorated shirts as gifts for her new family.
When an angry chief demands the sister for himself, the loyal siblings must flee to protect her. Together, they escape to the star prairies in a stunning celestial transformation that explains the creation of the Big Dipper.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
30 Pages
Even the bravest warriors can find themselves lost for words. A young man, deeply in love but too shy to speak to the girl of his dreams, wanders away from his camp in frustration.
Deep in the woods, he encounters mysterious animal visitors who present him with a remarkable gift. They give him a magical love flute, crafted by the creatures of the wild. Through its beautiful music, he discovers that he doesn't need words to express what is in his heart.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
40 Pages
Star Boy carries a mysterious scar upon his face, a mark of the Sun's disapproval resulting from his mother's disobedience. Banished from the Sky World, he lives among the people and falls in love with a chief's beautiful daughter.
Inspired by her love, he gathers the courage to undertake a daunting journey back to the Sky World. Star Boy seeks to make peace with the Sun, hoping to heal his scar and bring back a sacred blessing to his people.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
32 Pages
Before the people had proper shelter, they shivered through the bitter winters unleashed by Storm Maker. First Man and First Woman huddle around their fire, desperate for relief from the harsh winds.
Help arrives in the form of a yellow cottonwood leaf, inspiring a brilliant new design for a home. But the true gift comes during a terrifying blizzard, when a hunter and his son receive a powerful dream that brings the warmth and safety of the tipi to the Blackfoot people.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
40 Pages
The thundering, smoke-breathing Iron Horse brings terror and disruption to the plains. The Cheyenne people watch with alarm as this strange steam locomotive invades their territory, threatening their traditional way of life and the lands they have always known.
In a bold act of defiance, a small band of courageous young braves decide they must protect their camp. On a fateful day in 1867, they take a stand, leading to the only time a freight train was derailed by Native Americans in a desperate fight for survival.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
32 Pages
A poor boy and his grandmother face constant ridicule from their tribe, but their fortunes change when they discover an old, limping horse. Caring for the injured animal with incredible devotion, the boy patiently nurses the horse back to full health.
In return for this deep kindness, the magnificent creature reveals its true power, guiding the boy toward greatness and respect within the tribe. But when their bond is unexpectedly tested by a moment of betrayal, the boy must seek forgiveness to restore their friendship.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
42 Pages
A young hunter pauses by a stream, his bow drawn, only to see a beautiful young woman standing where a buffalo cow had just been. Knowing immediately that they are meant to be together, he takes her as his wife, and they start a family.
However, his people refuse to accept the Buffalo Woman, forcing her to return to her own nation with their son. Driven by a deep love, the hunter follows them, but he must face incredible tests to prove his worth to the angry Buffalo Nation.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
40 Pages
Long ago, the Creator witnessed the distress of the people and called for a monumental contest. The question of who will rule the natural world must be settled through a massive race involving all the creatures of the earth.
Will the thundering Buffalo secure supremacy, or will fleet-footed Man emerge victorious? As the fastest runners compete across the sweeping plains, unexpected heroes emerge. Through cunning and determination, the fate of the guardians of Creation is decided in this thrilling legend.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
36 Pages
Two friends set out across the sweeping plains on a journey to hunt for horses, but only one returns to the village. Based on traditional Lakota storytelling, this gripping tale explores loyalty, betrayal, and survival in the harsh wilderness.
When a young warrior is left stranded and alone on a high, treacherous ledge, his fate seems completely sealed. But help arrives from the most unexpected of allies, proving that true courage and respect for nature can bring miraculous rescue.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
Iktomi, the infamous Plains Indian trickster, is always looking for an easy meal and a chance to show off his cleverness. After successfully tricking a group of prairie dogs, he thinks he has secured a grand and delicious feast.
But his oversized ego soon gets the better of him. The wily Coyote is watching nearby, ready to turn the tables on the boastful trickster. It becomes a hilarious battle of wits where the greatest prankster might just end up being the one who gets played.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
32 Pages
The earth is a beautiful, interconnected web where every living thing has a voice and a meaningful purpose. Through a carefully chosen collection of traditional thoughts and wisdom, this book explores the profound spiritual bond between the Plains Indians and the natural world.
Readers are invited to look closely at the vibrant patterns of life that surround us. With deep respect for the environment, these timeless stories highlight the sacred beauty that defines our relationship with all living creatures.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
40 Pages
The mischievous trickster Iktomi is back, and this time he has his sights set on some delicious buffalo berries. Spotting the bright red fruit shimmering in the water, Iktomi dives in to grab a massive handful.
No matter how many times he plunges into the river, he comes up completely empty-handed and soaking wet. His endless comical efforts and frustrating failures highlight the foolishness of acting before thinking in this hilarious adventure.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
32 Pages
When a severe famine strikes his people, a brave young boy ventures high into the hills to pray for help. The Great Spirit answers his courageous plea by sending a magnificent and entirely unfamiliar creature.
Countless Sacred Dogs, moving as swiftly and gently as the wind, course down from the sky. This incredible gift of the horse forever transforms the lives of the tribe, giving them the strength to hunt and thrive once again.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
32 Pages
During a time of great suffering and upheaval, a mysterious and beautiful woman appears to the Lakota people. She brings with her an extraordinary gift that will forever change their spiritual lives and their connection to the earth.
Presenting the people with the Sacred Calf Pipe, she teaches them how to send their voices to the Great Spirit in times of need. After sharing this profound wisdom, she transforms into a buffalo, leaving behind a legacy of peace.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
32 Pages
Death is not an end, but rather a journey to a beautiful new beginning. When an elderly Plains Indian woman passes away, her spirit begins a peaceful ascent toward a high, welcoming ridge.
As her surviving family lovingly prepares her body according to their time-honored customs, she experiences the comforting afterlife her people have always believed in. This stunningly illustrated journey offers a gentle and reassuring look at loss, grief, and the enduring bonds of family.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
40 Pages
Iktomi is determined to reach the great powwow, but his journey hits a major snag when he reaches a wide, rushing river. Always looking for a shortcut, the trickster convinces a passing buzzard to ferry him across the water on its back.
However, Iktomi simply cannot resist making fun of the bird's bald head. The offended buzzard quickly teaches the boastful trickster a lesson in manners, sending him tumbling headfirst into a hollow tree.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
32 Pages
Two young children, Tiblo and his little sister Tanksi, wander too far and find themselves completely lost in the dark, unfamiliar mountains. Frightened and seeking shelter from the approaching night, they stumble into a secluded cave.
Inside, they are met not with danger, but with the gentle presence of a kindly wolf. This magnificent creature takes them under his protection, guiding them safely back to their village and proving that the natural world is full of unexpected friends.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
32 Pages
Iktomi is feeling particularly proud of himself as he struts across the Great Plains in his beautiful new blanket. When the weather grows hot, he casually drapes his prized blanket over a large boulder, offering it as a generous gift.
But when a sudden rainstorm approaches, the trickster changes his mind and snatches the blanket back. The deeply offended boulder decides to chase him down, forcing Iktomi to rely on some friendly bats to save him from being flattened.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
32 Pages
The whole earth is engaged in a constant, beautiful song of praise. From the towering mountains and rushing rivers to the smallest insects and vibrant flowers, every element of nature has its own unique way of praying.
This deeply reverent exploration invites readers to listen closely to the natural world. It celebrates the interconnectedness of all living things, showing how creation glorifies the divine in a bold and breathtaking display of color and harmony.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
32 Pages
