A Native American legend that will be a fine read-aloud because of the smooth text and songs with repetitive chants. The Rainbow Crow brings fire on a burning stick from the Great Spirit in the sky to the snow-covered woodland animals. Because of the smoke he inhales as he flies back to the woodlands, he unselfishly loses his beautiful voice. No longer is he a rainbow-colored bird, but a black crow. His crackly "caw" and plain black feathers give him his freedom, however, for man, who has not yet arrived in the woodlands, will not hunt crow. Because Crow cannot sing, his feathers are black, and his meat tastes like fire and smoke, he will be free. Thus is his unselfishness rewarded. The illustrations, done in a primitive style, create a true sense of the Pennsylvania Lenape Indians and their winters. Raccoon, deer, beaver, fox, and pheasant are all clearly depicted in soft colors. --Kathleen Riley, Hilltop Elementary School, Beachwood, Ohio Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.