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

by Emmett "Shkeme" Garcia, Victoria Pringle (Illustrator)

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780826337306
Publisher:	University of New Mexico Press
Publication date:	11/15/2006
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	205,958
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	11 Years

About the Author

Emmett "Shkeme" Garcia is co-owner of Emergence Productions, a cultural exchange program for American Indian youth, and the lead singer of Native Roots.


Victoria Pringle is a graduate of The Little Red School House, New York, and attends Bennington College, Vermont.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 6 Up
In this spare and staid retelling of a Tamaya Pueblo creation myth, the storyteller explains how the sun, moon, and stars first appeared: "A long time ago, the Animal People decided to make a journey up into our world, the Fourth World. Back then, where we lived in the underworld was called Shipap, or the Third World." When they arrive at journey's end, a humorous illustration displays just eyes amidst blackness and the animals cry, "There is no light in the Fourth World! What should we do?" Subsequently, Squirrel and Rabbit return to the Third World three times to gather warm coals that enable them to bring light to the sky; familiar trickster Coyote arrives just in time to grab the third batch of coals and toss it carelessly into the night sky to create the stars and constellations. References to two different worlds may confuse some children and the text is stiff, contrasting sharply with the more lively dialogue and playful interaction found in another Pueblo tale, Valerie S. Carey's Quail Song (Putnam, 1990). The animal figures in the illustrations are static in the style of petrography and are unlikely to engage children who are accustomed to more animated art. Teachers may want to use this story in their multicultural curriculum, although many will find its documentation inadequate. Libraries with large folklore collections might want to purchase it; smaller libraries will want to wait for a picture-book version that is better suited for children.
—Kirsten CutlerCopyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

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