Author Carole Lidgold Pens New, 'Brave' Coming-of-Age Tale

More than anything else, Little Brave was eager to join his older brothers in the buffalo hunt. They laughed at him, saying he was too young to ride with them. Someday, he would. But not yet.

Unhappy, Little Brave went down to the river near his tribe's camp to take his mind off his disappointment. Hearing a sudden cry for help but not seeing anything, Little Brave wondered if his mind was playing tricks on him. But then he heard it again, a young maiden spirit trapped in the river, unable to reunite with her warrior lover until someone would cross the raging river on her behalf.

Meanwhile, far above the earth, Manitou the Creator looked upon Little Brave and decided that this was the time for the child to have a chance to become a young brave. If he could figure out a way to use the magic of the teeth to cross the river, he was worthy of the hunt. This would be his test.

In the course of his quest to help the maiden, Little Brave learns a valuable lesson: Magic is already inside us, and all we need to do to accomplish even the most seemingly impossible task is to find a way to harness our inner magic. All things come from within.

Using an inventive narrative that recalls native myths and legends, veteran writer Carole Lidgold, who writes histories and historical non-fiction as well as childrens books, has put a new spin on an old tale, the coming-of-age story. Though a short book suitable for young children, Lidgold has given her main character a lively and deductive imagination. Readers of an age similar to Little Brave will find much to identify with in our hero and the ingenious way he is successful in his quest.

This is a lovely book for both boys and girls, a tale with a positive message that is perfect to read to the children (or grandchildren) at bedtime. They will want to hear this story over and over again. And, when they are able to read by themselves, it is this book that they will turn to first.

Author Biography: Carole M. Lidgold was born in Toronto and attended Winston Churchill Senior High School in Scarborough. She is a mother of one, and has sung with the Canada Existence Choralaires, various chapel choirs and the Serenata Performers for eleven years. Carole has published a total of 10 books.

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