Goble includes a brief forward about the legend of the Native American love flutes, followed by a fictionalized version of the story. Illustrations are in the style of Native traditions. ( )

The book tells the story of a shy young man who is given a love flute by the birds and animals to win the heart of a beautiful girl in his tribe. He is sad that he cannot find the way to communicate with her through words, but he learns to show her his love through music. He speaks to her with the music of his flute and "told her more beautifully than words could ever say: I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you."

A nice enough story, with appealing artwork, and Goble has a reputation for research.  However, the author's note is incomplete, and I don't think this can be used to teach Native American history.  After all, who are these people?  Are they Lakota, or Apache, or what?  Readers who want to hear native flute music are directed to Kevin Locke, who is Lakota. ( )

The main idea of Love Flute is to follow your heart. The arrow that the young man shot up into the air without meaning represented his heart guiding him where to go and what to do. Soon enough he found himself back at his camp, and was able to over come his shyness and communicate with the girl in his own way. This is a valuable lesson for children because it volumes about how to be true to yourself, and your hopes and dreams. ( )

Genre: legend
Review: This is a legend has been passed down generation to generation among the people of the Santee Dakota. There is a mixture of fantasy and realism and took place in ancient times of the tribe. The deed of the love flute is unbeliveable to our modern time yet, still has a sense of validity.
Use: 1. Valentines lesson 2. Native American leson
Age: Primary, Intermediate, Middle
Style: Goble uses hyperbole within this book. An example of this would be his exageration of the love flute. He exaggerated how beautiful the love flute sounded and how it attracted every single woman within the village.
Media: Cut-out with Colored pencil