In the Patagonia region in Argentina there is an unusual cave called Cueva de las Manos – the Cave of the Hands.  the Tehuelche tribe lived there long before Europeans ever wandered into the area.  Today there is no one left who can explain the sacred cave and why, among the 890 separate hand paintings, there is one foot.  T. A. Barron could not resist creating an explanation.  Auki, “Little Hunter”, begged his father to be taken along on a hunt only to be told he must wait.  Auki practiced his skills and worked on his patience.  When he was refused again, Auki set out on his own.  If he could find and follow the puma back to its cave, Auki could prove he was competent to join a hunt.  Instead, the puma surprised him and he fell down a canyon, injuring his foot.  As he examined his surroundings, he discovered the cave – and a grouchy painter.  Slowly limping after being sent away, he heard a shout.  The puma had returned.  Without thinking, Auki charged, yelling, waving his arms, and kicked the puma in the head.  The story is rich and realistic.  William Low’s exquisite, vibrant illustrations are perfectly suited to the story.  Teachers will find many reasons to keep this book on hand.