Fire Race: A Karuk Coyote Tale of How Fire Came to the People

by Jonathan London, Sylvia Long (Illustrator), Lanny Pinola

Inspired by a legend of the Karuk people, the story of how Coyote captures fire and how Eagle, Cougar, Fox, Bear and others work together to help is a dramatic tale of bravery and cooperation.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Native American, Fiction, Folklore, American

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Jonathan London is the author of several celebrated children's books. His commitment to honoring the wonders of the natural world has been lauded by readers and critics alike. He is the author of more than 70 children's books, many of which are about nature. He's also the author of the popular Froggy series. He lives in Graton, California with his wife and two sons.

Reviews

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very positive version of the Coyote and Fire story, with all the animals (except the mean Yellow Jacket sisters, obviously) cooperating to steal fire and share it. All the animals do their best, even when some are stung or burnt.

I liked this better than the versions where someone does something stupid or selfish and messes things up for everyone. (Although maybe that's more realistic!)

[Aneesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love everything about this: the illustrations, the details, the plot, the moral, how the myth relates to how we make fire now.

However there's a part of me that thinks this version of the story has been "Westernized" - ha! Europeanized - to be more "logical" than these old tales usually are to our ears.

[Kaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story Telling.
This has been my favorite Coyote steals fire story because until the end it's a very solid chain of events. It includes reasons for many animals involvement and is well illustrated. It does, however, have a very abrupt ending that left me wanting more to the story.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

1993
Wonderful and enormous illustrations, with a bit of text at the bottom.
Good story.
Most likely Verda bought the book, when in Arizona/New Mexico, and gave it to Eric.
I will give to WInnie

appropr. 5-8 years maybe

[Forked Radish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite interesting, as it may point to the origin of the relay race, one where the original baton was a firebrand. Which also explains why passing the baton is such a critical operation. As it's possible, in the era before fire making and banking techniques were known, the only way to move fire from place to place was in relay fashion. 🔥

[Kest Schwartzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a nicely illustrated, respectfully retold story.

[Danna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated pourquoi tale that captured the heart of my third graders during our Native American Literature unit.

[Jessica Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Traditional Karuk myth, well told with good illustrations. It is wonderful to see myths from my cultural traditions represented in print!

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-told and illustrated, with good notes in the afterword. It does end a bit abruptly, but from what I can tell, it seems true to the original story.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm thankful to see these tales represented.

[Sean Harding · Rating 2 out of 5]

London Odyssey #57
Some flipping weird tale about animals working together and getting fire, it was mythology gone wild.
Anyway I'm sure someone will be entertained. Me, not so much this time.

[TesPen Garcia]

very good

[Rosa Cline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very nicely retelling of a folktale story of how the fire came to the animal people. When the only one who had fire was the yellowjacket and every one else was cold and ate cold food. Back years ago stories were told and retold for generations and Mr London collaborated with Karuk tribe and retold this story from them.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the author should be Lanny Pinola. This book was recommended by the librarian at the Native American special library that is part of Fort Lewis College. (Robert Delaney Research Library) (The librarian is a Navajo.) I enjoyed reading it with my daughter.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

My nephew loves this book!!

[Ruth Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to explain how Fire came to the rest of the world.
It was inciteful and entertaining. I liked it very much.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This retelling of the Karuk legend of how fire was stolen from the Yellow Jacket sisters is great for a unit on Native American legends.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Karuk Tale about how fire was found and used to live off of. I especially love reading how the yellow jackets got their stripes!

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tale of cooperation and a mythical explanation of the discovery of fire according to the Karuk people. Very nice illustrations.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

There are a few versions of how coyote steals fire and this was well very written and filled with great illustrations.