Reviews for 

Washoe Seasons of Life:

A Native American Story

A Washoe girl takes readers from early June when her tribe camps on the shores of Lake Tahoe to the first snow of winter in the mountains. While storytelling and ceremonial life are celebrated, the primary emphasis is on the survival needs of indigenous people. The story is especially informative as Mele observes how her mother collects pine nuts, breaks their shells, and grinds them into flour for the life-sustaining pine-nut soup. Later, she participates in a jackrabbit hunt and watches as her mother smokes and preserves the meat.... Each spread features nouns in bold italics accompanied by their Washoe-language equivalents. Saling's impressionistic paintings rendered in a folk-art style with a rich array of nature colors are lovely and fit the text with near-perfect unity. ... Washoe Seasons of Life reveals a little-known people to a wide audience and presents what is presumably an accurate portrayal of their lives and their constant struggle to survive in a beautiful yet harsh environment. It gives a sense of both family love and tribal cooperation and harmony that is conveyed superbly through both the vibrant storytelling and the handsome paintings.––Library School Journal

Co-authored by Diane Domiteaux and Karen Wallis, Washoe Seasons Of Life: A Native American Story is illustrated throughout by Lea Saling's softly expressive artwork. Washoe Seasons Of Life is based upon of how the Washoe Indians lived and played in the Lake Tahoe region which was later to be parts of Nevada and California. Young readers ages 7 to 11 will raptly follow Mele and her family as she helps to gather pine nuts for the winter months, joins the rabbit drive, listens to her grandfather's stories, plays with her friend, and performs her daily chores common to the Carson Valley Washoe Tribe. Washoe Seasons Of Life is highly recommended and will make a popular addition to both school and community library collections.—Midwest Book Reviews

This is a nicely illustrated picture book about the daily and seasonal life of a young Washoe girl and her friends as they work and play in the Lake Tahoe area of what is now Nevada and California. It is also multi-lingual with a glossary of Washoe equivalents to key words on each page and at the end of the book. It opens a window into a bygone culture, helping to preserve a heritage of Native America in the Carson Valley region. We rated it four hearts."—Heartland Reviews

"[V]aluable as an instructional tool in the classroom"—Kirkus Reviews

Washoe Seasons of Life is a beautiful book displaying the life of a Washoe girl and how she and her family lived during a time long ago. Set in a Native American tale, you delve into Mele's life and how she and her family and friends survived. Speaking the Washoe language seems difficult, but with key words in bold throughout the story, you can read them and find out their meanings. An interesting story to learn more about a culture and time very different from our own. Beautiful artwork sets the stage for a story that you won't soon forget. Rated 5 out of 5 for excellence.—Book Review Café

Teaching Professionals are saying: 

Firstly, I am glad that there is a book of the Washoe other than just historical facts.  I was impressed that there are books about my own heritage out there that I can read to my students.  I do plan to read this book as a read aloud to go along with my Nevada unit that I am putting together.  The portrayal of the characters was realistic and I felt a sense of my past.  Thank you for wanting my input and I am glad to see that authors are interested in Nevada Indians. 
Fondly, Diane Frank