Title: Who Blows the Wind
Author: Raven Karla Welch Reithmeier
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 978-1-5462-7289-2
Pages: 26
Genre: Illustrated Children’s Book
Review by: Beth Adams
Hollywood Book Reviews
It is an interesting question, who blows the wind? Surely one in which youngsters would ponder and would like to learn the answer.
In Who Blows the Wind, by author Raven Karla Welch Reithmeier, readers are introduced to “Little Brother,” a native tribal Indian, living in the world surrounded by the spirits of nature – trees, rain, rainbows, and wind. Readers are taken along a journey in which this young Indian boy, along with his dog, seek to find the answer to this question.
Upon seeing a tree, Little Brother asks, ”Who blows the wind?” The tree is at first surprised, and says to Little Brother what makes you think you could talk to a tree? Little Brother replied with a comment that he knew in his heart he could communicate with trees. The tree gently says that he is just a tree, and only knows how to be a tree. Little Brother asks, what is it like to be a tree? Whereas the tree says it knows to stand strong, feel the cold of winter, the heat of summer, go through the seasons and become stronger each year.
This same pattern of questioning and answers are repeated to the rain, the rainbow, and finally to the wind itself. The answers are amazing! They are very insightful and will appeal to the curiosity of all readers, as the theme of nature and the roll each force has on the living is articulated in an expression of native Indian beliefs. After all, if you want to know who blows the wind, no better force of nature to ask than the wind itself.
The book pages with artistic illustrations showing the peaceful lifestyle of Indians, having their community in harmony with nature in sustainable villages, with their teepees set up on the ground without harming the Earth. Author Raven Karla Welch Reithmeier brings out the culture of native Indians so remarkably well and with such a powerful story which many readers may have this being their first introduction to the basics of this way of life. The repetitious sequence of questions and answers also enlightens the readers to learn about things by listening to their heart; a great lesson to youngsters.
Not to be a spoiler, the answer to the question of who blows the wind will amaze all who read this book. For that answer alone, this book stands out as an award-winning children’s book, and one not to miss.