Introduces the art on stone done by ancient Americans, describes materials and techniques, and discusses their age, possible meanings, and threats to their preservation - (Baker & Taylor)

This beautifully illustrated introduction to petroglyphs and pictographs--images carved and painted on stone--images carved and painted on stone--records a diversity of images rapidly vanishing from canyon walls, rock outcroppings, and caves across North America. - (Random House, Inc.)

Yvette La Pierre is the author of the highly acclaimed Native American Rock Art: Messages from the Past. A former editor of National Parks magazine, she lives in Grand Forks, North Dakota. - (Random House, Inc.)

Horn Book Guide Reviews

An introduction to Native-American rock art describes common images carved or painted on rocks, the symbolic meanings of the art, and methods for dating these historical artifacts. The accompanying color illustrations are clear and informative, as are the numerous color photographs of original Native-American art. A state-by-state guide to major rock-art locations is included in the interesting text. Glos. Copyright 1998 Horn Book Guide Reviews

Publishers Weekly Reviews

This handsome book offers a lively introduction to an unlikely topic-petroglyphs and pictographs, images carved into and painted onto stone surfaces by early Native Americans. La Pierre explains how paints were made and used, identifies common symbols found in rock art and demonstrates the importance of art to Native American culture. While some of the scientific information may leave younger readers cold, the text is neatly organized and unusually clear, whether outlining the technological processes involved in dating rock art, discussing the effects of natural erosion or speculating why rock art is often overlooked in the study of early American peoples. The graceful design incorporates rock art images, and amply captioned photographs provide plenty of examples of the pictographs and petroglyphs La Pierre describes. Attractive ink-and-watercolor studies of Native Americans producing or studying rock art open each chapter and add to the overall sense of exploration. An appendix lists public sites in 26 states where rock art can be viewed. Ages 8-up. (Oct.) Copyright 1994 Cahners Business Information.

School Library Journal Reviews

Gr 4-6-Although the most well-known sites are in the Southwest, petroglyphs and pictographs exist throughout the U.S. Through a careful, albeit succinct, examination of the cultures that left these records, La Pierre demonstrates that rock art is more than the grafitti of ancient generations. While recognizing variations of mythology within Native American cultures and the inexact nature of trying to interpret events and meanings of another time, she discusses the mediums used to make these pictures and speculates on their significance to their creators. Pen-and-ink drawings washed with watercolors supplement full-color photographs of the rock art. A list of sites that can be visited in 26 states is provided. While this book will supplement titles on Native American culture that only mention rock art, it also stands on its own as an outstanding study of a fascinating art form and means of communication. Little else on the subject is available for young readers, making it an attractive purchase for most collections.-Jeanette Larson, Texas State Library, Austin Copyright 1994 Cahners Business Information.