"Audiences will quickly become immersed in the combination of storytelling, music, and artwork. Looking Wolf's music is atmospheric and moving. Masterful paintings, lush, vibrant, frequently suffused with sunlight?do not so much extend the text as accompany it, as if selected after the fact rather than crafted for it. If a bit patchwork, the package is still powerful." -- Kirkus Reviews " The First Flute is a reverent retelling of a Dakota traditional story about the importance of names, and the value of music. Presented in both English and Dakota, each poignant page is accompanied by a stunning realistic painting of majestic, stirring portraits of figures from a Plains Peoples time past. Together the book and audio CD create an immersion experience of Native story telling." -- Midwest Book Review "This is, once again, a winning collaboration by author, artist and musician.

The design is impressive; the accompanying CD shares the story in English, French and Dakota. Jan Michael Looking Wolf's haunting flute playing is wonderful and adds special meaning to David's retelling of this traditional Dakota story. Dan Oelze's detailed images are infused with light, and set in the beauty of the prairie landscape. His fascination with North American Native life is evident on every page, giving readers clear context for Dancing Raven's life and experiences." -- Sal's Fiction Addiction blog "The straightforward text, in both English and Dakota, is accompanied by dazzling works of art that feature richly attired characters and handsome horses against lush backgrounds and stunning vistas." -- Booklist Online "The illustrations by Don Oelze are stunning and add a detailed visual to the to the storytelling. Before the story, there is a section entitled ?Protocol?. Bouchard explains that this version of the story was told by Standing Elk, the uncle of the flutist, Jan Michael Looking Wolf.

Bouchard also outlines the proper protocol for storytelling. The First Flute makes a good addition for any collection. The inclusion of the CD makes The First Flute stand out as readers can also experience traditional storytelling and the evocative sounds of the flute music to accompany the book. Recommended. " -- CM Magazine.