White Wolf Woman and Other Native American Transformation Myths

Across North and South America, Native peoples have shared stories for generations—tales told aloud long before they were written down. In this collection, more than forty myths from thirty different tribes, from the far northern Arctic to the tropical forests of Guiana, invite readers to explore a powerful idea: all living things are connected by the same spirit.

The heroes and heroines in these stories carry that spirit within them. Because of it, they can change into many forms—slithering snakes, soaring birds, strong bears, swift wolves, and sometimes even everyday objects. In the Sikyatki tale “Water Jar Boy,” for example, a child becomes a simple clay jar and still finds a way to show bravery.