Reviewed by Fran L. for Readers' Favorite

Boys love to get into mischief. Little Bear and Little Buffalo, two Indian boys, loved to hunt, take care of the chickens, experiment with smoking cigars and do the same things any kid likes to do growing up. But, when Little Bear decides to set a trap for a huge alligator he wants to catch, what happens will teach not only him, but also every child, a lesson. Catching this large alligator earned Little Bear a great reward. The plan he had to capture the gator was ingenious.

As the author describes life as a Native American Indian and the community in which they lived, you understand the family unity, the community spirit, and hear the voice of one young brave who tells about his life growing up. From the fox that killed his uncle’s chickens, to his father who is the chief of the tribe, you can hear the pride in this young child’s voice as the author presents these interesting tales in a first person narrative with limited dialogue.

Author Roy Naquin shares an autobiographical account of his life and adventures in the wilderness through the voices of Little Bear and Little Buffalo. In chapter one, 'Life Was Good,' you can smell the homemade bread and the sausage, and understand the family unity, as the author describes the traditions of his tribe and his life growing up. Just reading about how they capture a huge alligator will make you smile.

Chapter two tells of his adventures cutting down huge cypress trees to make their dugouts, but not before escaping a wild boar, hiding up a tree and trying not to get killed running all the way home, all before his encounter with a skunk! That is something I can identify with; you can figure out the rest for yourself. Poor Little Bear!

Next he tells about his sister’s unique gift as a healer and what happens when she tries to help a family member who changes her life. Added to that, the author describes how her dreams affected others and that she often foresaw death and danger. Finally, in the last chapter the author recounts how Little Bear meets a ghost on Felicity Island and the end result and his encounter give the story a special added surprise ending and twist.

From his relationship with his cousins, sisters and family to his short, yet special one with his grandfather, the author teaches the reader many lessons about hard work, persistence, family unity, loyalty and love in this heartfelt, heartwarming book about his life growing up with his wonderful family and friends. This is a great book to use for multicultural education, teaching about Native American traditions, family values, understanding other ways of living and just plain fun. Two young Indian Braves take the reader on a journey back in time when modern conveniences such as air conditioning, cars, phones and even hospitals were within everyone’s grasp, or even invented, to a time when people worked together and helped to create a climate of respect, tolerance and understanding for those they loved and the people of their tribe.