Published in 1943 and chosen as a Caldecott Honor Book in 1944 - Berta and Elmer Hader's Cock-A-Doodle-Doo was a Caldecott Honor Book in 1940, and their The Big Snow was awarded the Caldecott Medal itself in 1949 - this picture-book follows the adventures of Little Brave Heart, a young Indian boy (tribe unnamed) who longs to be a great hunter. Slipping out of his family's teepee one day, he runs off with his bow and arrow, encountering a series of animals who all offer to help him find bigger, more worthy prey. Finally, encountering a mother bear and her cubs, Little Brave Heart is questioned as to his motives - is he so cold that he needs her fur? is he so hungry that he needs her flesh? - and then sent running on his way, when his answers are unacceptable. In the end, he concludes that school is the place for him...

Hopelessly outdated in its presentation of Native American life, and rife with stereotypes and inaccuracies - to give but one example: most young children from Indian reservations in the 1940s would have been brutally separated from their families, and forced to attend abusive boarding schools far from their homes, not allowed to remain at home and attend local schools (they also would most likely not have lived in teepees) - The Mighty Hunter is not a book I would recommend to contemporary children. It wasn't accurate or appropriate when first created, and it certainly isn't now. That said, I did find the artwork, stereotypes or no, quite beautiful, and can understand, from an aesthetic perspective, why it was honored. I also appreciated the message offered, about hunting only when one is in need, rather than for fun, as I think sport hunting is unethical. I understand that the Haders were activists, in their way, incorporating messages about conservation and animal protection into their books, and I imagine that this is an early example of that. In any case, despite the good message here, the delivery is so flawed that I would recommend the book only to Caldecott completists like myself, or to readers researching the depiction of Native Americans in older children's books. ( )

Summary: Every child rejects the idea of school at some time in their life, but when this little boy decides to change this plan, he learns that, without the right intentions and training, he is as much the hunted as the hunter.

Review: A great little book to settle a restless soul. The Mighty Hunter creates a friendly relationship between man and beast. As well, it delivers the message to have your priorities in line, because the need to satisfy lower level needs; eating, is common among all life's participants. So, have a purpose for your actions that will not infringe on the weak, as the motivation could be greater in your target.

Extension Idea: A wonderful book to discuss history, animals, the food chain, and priorities. Just a few good points of interest. ( )