THE DAY THE EARTH ROSE UP
Children’s Picture Book
Written and Illustrated by Alfreda Beartrack Algeo
Published by: 7th Generations, Native Voices Book Publishing Company
When seven Lakota sisters venture deep into the forest to gather chokecherries, they are surprised and chased by a giant bear. As they huddle together on a rock ledge and pray for help, the earth rises up, taking them out of reach of the bear. A great eagle rescues the Seven Sisters by taking them to the Star Nation, where they become the Pleiades star formation we see in the night sky.
Beartrack-Algeo’s. . . long fascination with the Pleiades constellation led to this star-studded origin story, her solo debut. Alongside jewel-toned paintings that foreground the natural world, Beartrack-Algeo incorporates many traditional elements in this picture book about “how everyone and everything is interconnected. What is sacred above, is sacred below.”
— Publisher’s Weekly
Beartrack-Algeo’s love and pride of her (Lakota) culture and the land shines throughout the story, which is a great addition to most myth and legends collections, especially given the scarcity of books featuring indigenous peoples.
—- School Library Journal
"The Day the Earth Rose Up' was selected to represent Wyoming at the National Book Festival Sept. 2023 in Washington, DC by the Wyoming Humanities Council.
WINNER of Children's Book Council Teacher Favorites for Grade 3-5.
LEGENDS OF BIG HEART: LAND GRAB
Teen Novel Series (Book 1)
Written by Alfreda Beartrack Algeo.
Published by: 7th Generations, Native Voices Book Publishing Company
Alfred is eleven years old and has many responsibilities not expected of a young boy. He and his Lakota family are being forced to leave behind their tribal values and traditions and assimilate into mainstream American culture and society. His Lalá (grandfather), has instilled in his grandson many Lakota traditions which Alfred respects, but at times struggles to understand the message they convey. The Legend of Big Heart Series is the exciting adventures of Alfred Swallow as his navigates life on and off the Lower Brule Lakota Reservation in South Dakota. The series begins in 1929 when Alfred is eleven years old and follows his journey into manhood as he and his Lakota family are being forced to leave behind their tribal values and traditions and assimilate into mainstream of American culture and society.
HOW OCEANS CAME TO BE
Children’s Picture Book
Written by Arvis Boughman
Illustrated by Alfreda Beartrack Algeo
Published by: 7th Generations, Book Publishing Company
A delightful Lumbee story. Clever Rabbit outsmarts a selfish Great Snapping Turtle. When Rabbit discovers many animals could not find water, he sets out to solve the mystery. What he finds is the Great Snapping Turtle blocking the water of the Mother Spring. When the stubborn turtle refuses to move, Rabbit figures out a way to let the water flow. As the water flowed to all creatures, it also created the oceans of Turtle Island.
FATHER EAGLE AND THE HUNTER
Children’s Picture Book
Written and Illustrated by Alfreda Beartrack Algeo
Published by: 7th Generations, Native Voices Book Publishing Company
The hunter was tired of only finding berries and seeds to feed his hungry village, so he decided to look far and wide for some meat to bring to them. When he spotted a tall tree, he climbed to the top and discovered a nest with three eaglets. “What a tasty soup the three little birds will make!” thought the hunter.
Hearing the warning cries of the eaglets, Father Eagle flew to their rescue. Father Eagle told the hunter that if he did not take the eaglets, he would ask the Great Spirit to help the village. The hunter decided to trust Father Eagle and watched him soar high into the sky. Father Eagle returned and told the hunter that the Great Spirit would help his people and would not let his village perish.
From that day forward, the game was plentiful, the people flourished, and the Eagle was forever respected and honored.
LEGENDS OF BIG HEART: ROAN STALLION
Teen Novel Series (Book 2)
Written by Alfreda Beartrack Algeo
Published by: 7th Generations, Book Publishing Company
The exciting Big Heart Series continues when Alfred Swallow meets a wild roan stallion. Not just any stallion, but a medicine hat roan stallion that is believed to have special powers.
The bond between Alfred and the stallion reaches far into a world of hopes and dreams. It’s 1929 and times are hard for Alfred’s Lakota family on the Dakota prairie. Alfred knows his grandfather could use a new tractor, so with the help of his friends and the roan stallion, he makes plans to win the prize money at the annual White River Relay Race. But time is short, as the race is just weeks away. Unaware of the dangers that lie ahead, Alfred prepares to train the horse. Even though the odds are against Alfred and his team, something in the grandstand catches his eye on the day of the race, and that changes everything. Can Alfred’s determination and prayers carry them through to win?
COTTONWOOD SINGS
Children’s Picture Book
Written and Illustrated by Alfreda Beartrack Algeo
Published by: 7th Generations, Book Publishing Company
AVAILABLE Now
The Cottonwood Sings is the delightful story of the lovely Hunku (First Woman), who was immortal and never aged. The animals and plants loved her, but Hunku was lonely. Every day she would go to the riverbank and cry herself to sleep. Beaver, who lived in the river, fell in love with the beautiful Hunku and begged the Great Spirit to turn him into a man. The Great Spirit agreed, and Beaver became Takahe (First Man), but the Great Spirit told him that one day he would have to go back to being Beaver. Hunku and Takahe enjoyed their life together, and they had four beautiful daughters. The day finally came when Beaver had to return to the river. Hunku missed her companion and asked the Great Spirit to turn her into a tree so she could always be close to Beaver. The Great Spirit agreed to her request, and to this day you will find cottonwood trees living near bodies of water and beavers living near cottonwood trees.
LEGENDS OF BIG HEART: RIVER RUN
Teen Novel Series (Book 3)
Written by Alfreda Beartrack Algeo
Published by: 7th Generations, Book Publishing Company
AVAILABLE 09/2023
River Run is the third installment in The Legend of Big Heart collection. To fulfill the government’s policy to “destroy the Indian and save the man,” Alfred Swallow and his friends Orson and Junior are forced to leave their families and homes to attend a residential mission school. The students’ beautiful long hair is cut, and they are forbidden to speak their native language. Even the slightest infraction is severely punished. At the height of hopelessness, Alfred gets a ghostly visit from beyond the grave, telling him to run to the river. With a bounty on their heads, Alfred and his friends Orson and Junior plunge into a harrowing quest for freedom.