Coyote: A Trickster Tale from the American Southwest

Coyote dreams of flying with the crows and embarks on a mission to join them in their aerial dance through the desert sky. This Southwestern folktale chronicles his attempts to transform himself into a crow through pure determination. The story draws from Native American oral traditions, featuring Coyote as the classic trickster figure common in indigenous storytelling. McDermott's illustrations use geometric shapes and colors that echo Southwestern art, particularly the oranges, purples, and blues of the desert landscape. Old Coyote's quest speaks to universal themes of identity, belonging, and the consequences of trying to be something other than oneself. The tale serves as both entertainment and cultural preservation, maintaining the spirit of traditional Native American storytelling for contemporary audiences.

Readers value this book as an introduction to Native American trickster tales for young children. The bright, geometric artwork in desert colors catches kids' attention, with many parents noting their children request repeated readings. What readers liked: - Bold illustrations that reflect Southwestern art styles - Short length works well for preschool attention spans - Cultural context provided in author's note - Engages kids with repetitive phrases they can join in reading What readers disliked: - Some found the story too simple or short - A few reviewers wanted more depth about Native American culture - Parents noted the mischievous behavior might need explaining Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,775 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (164 ratings) "Perfect for storytimes," notes a school librarian on Goodreads. "The artwork alone makes this worth having," writes an Amazon reviewer. Multiple teachers mention using it successfully in K-2 classrooms to introduce folktales.

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🌵 Gerald McDermott's vibrant art style in "Coyote" was influenced by the geometric patterns and earthy colors found in Native American pottery and textiles. 🌟 The character of Coyote appears in many Native American cultures' stories, often teaching moral lessons through his misadventures and mistakes. 🎨 Author-illustrator Gerald McDermott won the prestigious Caldecott Medal for another folktale book, "Arrow to the Sun," which features similar Southwestern-inspired artwork. 🦊 In Southwestern Native American mythology, Coyote is often responsible for bringing fire to humans, similar to Prometheus in Greek mythology. 🎭 Before becoming a children's book creator, McDermott was an award-winning filmmaker who produced animated films based on folk tales for children's television.