Coyote and the Sky: How the Sun, Moon, and Stars Began

by Emmett Garcia, Victoria Pringle (Illustrator)

According to Santa Ana Pueblo legend, the animals' spirit Leader created the sun, moon, and stars by using woven yucca mats and hot coals. He selected certain animals to climb from their homes in the Third World up to the Fourth World. The Squirrel, the Rabbit, and the Badger were all allowed to go. The Coyote, however, was forbidden to accompany them because he was always causing trouble and stealing food from the others. Regardless of what he was told, Coyote refused to stay in the Third World. He found a hiding place and waited for a chance to follow the animals to the Fourth World. When the other animals discovered Coyote, they summoned the Leader to the Fourth World to deal with him. Coyote's punishment is a lesson in what happens to animals, or people, when they refuse to obey instructions. Writing for the younger reader, Emmett "Shkeme" Garcia, a member of the Santa Ana tribe, shares his Pueblo's story of the beginnings of the stars and constellations. Victoria Pringle's illustrations provide visual elements that enhance the action of the story.
Ages 6 and up.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Folklore

32 pages, Hardcover

First published November 15, 2006

Reviews

[Tapani Aulu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ostan aina reissuilta paikallista kirjallisuutta ja Flagstaffin matkalta tuli tämä mukaan. Santa Anan pueblokansan luomiskertomus oli hyvin simplistinen, mutta kaunis.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Southwest Pueblo creation story legend about how animals (and presumably people, too) came to live on Earth, as well as where the stars came from. Every culture has their own creation story (or stories), but I was unfamiliar with this one. Depending on the unit of study and the level of analysis you want to do, this book would be appropriate for any grade level. It is an excellent way to bring some multicultural perspectives into the classroom.

[Shmarlio Tolliver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading This book was About animals I didn't think that I was going to like it that much. But it was interesting its about animals that live in a different world, and they are moving to new one. When they arrived to the new world they were so scared and nervous. The animal people is what they were called. They also did not trust or like the coyote that was in there group because he was very sneaky and a scam artist. I like this book because you can relate this to the human perspective but its just in an animal one at the moment. And I also like how u have to get use to new environments and adjust.

Coyote and the Sky: How the Sun, Moon, and Stars Began

[Tracy Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Traditional retelling of a Santa Ana Pueblo legend about how the sun, moon, and stars were put in the sky.