How Chipmunk Got His Stripes by Joseph Bruchac and James Bruchac

How Chipmunk Got His Stripes review by Sarah Bartholomew

1. Bibliography

Bruchac, Joseph and Bruchac, James. How Chipmunk Got His Stripes. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2001.

ISBN 9780803724044

2. Plot Summary

Big Bear is a prideful mammal and believes he can do anything. Brown Squirrel decides to challenge Big Bear’s pronounced power and authority by telling Big Bear to command the sun not to rise. Big Bear, Brown Squirrel, and the other animals wait that night and the following morning to see if the sun will rise. Big Bear insists it will not while Brown Squirrel assures everyone that it will. When the sun does rise that following morning, Brown Squirrel decides to taunt and tease Big Bear about being wrong and even insults the bear’s intelligence. This infuriates Big Bear and he reacts by declaring his intentions to eat Brown Squirrel. Brown Squirrel runs as fast as he can, but Big Bear almost catches him. Big Bear claws Brown Squirrel on the back just before Brown Squirrel dives into his burrow resulting in stripes on his back. Time passes and the claw marks do not heal leading to Brown Squirrel now being known as Chipmunk. 

3. Critical Analysis

This Native American tale is a fun legend on why Chipmunks have stripes. It is also a great lesson to help children understand why it is important not to tease others or to brag about oneself beyond reason. Neither of the main characters is particularly kind to one another making it hard for the reader to route for either one. This can lead to a lack of investment in the characters and therefore plot. The illustrations are vibrant and help to draw the reader's attention. 

4. Reviews Excerpt(s)

From Publishers Weekly: “the dialogue is effective and invites audience participation--especially the repeated phrases with sound effects”

From School Library Journal: “While the story begs to be told, Aruego and Dewey's vibrantly hued trademark watercolors add significantly to the humor. A priority purchase for most collections”

5. Connections

Gather other books by Joseph Bruchac

Rabbit's snow dance. ISBN 9780803732704

The First Strawberries ISBN 9780140564099

Turtle’s Race With Beaver. ISBN 9780142404669

Gather other books about teasing

Berenstain, Stan. The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Teasing ISBN 9780679877066

Berry, Joy. A Children’s Book About Teasing. ISBN 9780881490107

Cook, Julia. Tease Monster: A Book About Teasing vs. Bullying. ISBN 9781934490471