Ani Rucki

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Picture book
Grade: K-3
An adaptation of traditional literature
**This story is based upon a traditional Navajo folktale. This story depicts teamwork at its finest by having all of the animals ad people in the wilderness work together to survive. In the story Crow was exploring when he noticed a huge wall of water coming towards his and his friends homeland. He immediately flew back to warn everyone. During this time in the story all of the animals started contributing in their own show more unique ways in order to save themselves as well as their friends. For example, it was the Bears idea to move to higher ground. Then the beaver gnawed through the Reed tree so that everyone could hide safely inside. When the animals realized that the Turkey couple was missing it was Eagle who flew to find them. Once they were safe inside the tree the turkeys revealed that they had been collecting seeds in order to save them from the water. This brings me to theme of the importance of nature. The turkeys knew the importance of seeds to all life, and knew that they were going to be needed to regrow after the water receded. This is an incredibly important part of the story. The turkeys were wise to know that hiding in the tree they may be safe for the time, but without the seeds they would not survive after. show less

This book is simple enough to read with the youngest student and it personifies Earth's passage through the seasons. Good book for a simple literary device lesson or for reading about the seasons.

When a great wall of water threatens to destroy them, the community of animals band together to save themselves, but it is the turkey who remembers to save the seeds they will need to rebuild their lives.

This is a great book for 2nd - 5th grades. It is based on a Native American Tradition so it would be a good book to read during that unit. The class could plant a seed and watch it grow after reading the book.