The Lenni Lenape, also known as the Delaware, originally inhabited the current states of Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and the southern part of New York.
The Crow’s Tale, read it for free on archive.org
“In the dark depths of winter, snow is falling and the animals are freezing and famished. Brave Crow sets out on a dangerous journey to find the Sun, and beg for warmth. Will Crow succeed, and what will happen to his colourful rainbow feathers? Inspired by a Lenape Native American myth, this beautiful debut picture book shows how courage and kindness are what really matter.” (from the publisher)
You won’t look at a crow the same way after reading this beautiful picture book. The crow on the last page has lost it’s rainbow wings but is shimmery black.
“Today when a Lenape Indian girl ventures to the stream to fish for shad, she knows that another girl did the same generations before her. Through the cycle of the seasons, what is important has remained: being with family, knowing when berries are ripe for picking, listening to stories in a warm home. Told by Traditional Sister and Contemporary Sister, each from her own time, this is a book about tradition and about change. Then and now are not so very different when the shadbush blooms.” (from the publisher)
We enjoyed this seasonal telling of Lenni Lenape traditions and the names of their different moons. There is additional information at the end about the culture and the seasons.
The author is a Turtle Clan Lenape and the illustrator a Wolf Clan Mohawk.
New Jersey
These stories are specific to the Lenni Lenape in an area that is now part of the state of New Jersey.
The Legend of the Cape May Diamond
“At the southernmost tip of New Jersey lie the resort town of Cape May and its sparkling sandy beaches, sheltering the Delaware Bay. Formed by melting glaciers thousands of years past, the Delaware River flows from its headwaters to spill into the Delaware Bay. And for thousands of years, fragments of quartz rock have ridden the river, plucked from the mountains lining its banks. Polished and buffed as they tumble along, these rock particles dazzle like gemstones when tossed onto Cape May’s sandy shores.”
“Beloved by beachcombers, these “diamonds” are the daughters of the river, linking the state’s past and present. Delving into the natural beauty of New Jersey’s famous coastline, storyteller Trinka Hakes Noble has crafted a wondrous tale explaining the origin of the Cape May Diamond.”
The People of Twelve Thousand Winters
“Ten-year-old Walking Turtle is of the Lenni Lenape tribe. He lives with his family in a small village alongside the Passaic River in what will become northern New Jersey. They have a relatively peaceful life, with nature offering up a bounty of resources for food and shelter, amply meeting their needs. Walking Turtle is close to his younger cousin, Little Talk. He feels protective of Little Talk, who has difficulty walking. Together they roam the forests near their village, with Walking Turtle carrying his cousin on his back. But in the autumn of Walking Turtle’s tenth year, his father tells him that soon he must leave childhood friends behind and begin warrior school. Walking Turtle worries about what will become of Little Talk when he leaves for his training. And what is his future?” (from the publisher)