Jerrie Oughton

This folktale comes from the mythology of the Navajo people. Vibrant and intense illustrations tell the story of First Woman - and the trickster Coyote - and how the stars were scattered into the sky. Powerful phrases create the feelings of this primordial world, like "pulse of the first day," and "the rim of night." A beautiful creation story in any collection.
As she places the stars, First Woman explains to Coyote the wisdom and comfort the stars will bring to the people, gently show more incorporating the values and culture of the Navajo people into the legend. The illustrations depict traditional dwellings, dress and activities without making the lives of the people the center of the story, instead leaving the power of the story to rest in the connection between the people and the universe through their relationship to the night sky. show less

Oughton brings us the Navajo legend of how the stars appeared into the sky. It is about the first man and woman. The woman wants to write the laws of the people because she is concerned for the future. First man is more concerned about right now and doesn't pay much attention to her idea. She begins placing the stars into the sky and creating her laws. A coyote asked her if he could help and she agreed. At first the coyote was helpful however he became very impatient and without her knowing show more just threw all the stars into the sky. This is a good story to use in the classroom because it can teach that hastiness can cause discord. The illustrations were warm and beautiful. I would recommend for grades 2-4. show less

Beautiful pictures by Lisa Desimini of the desert at night. First Woman is carefully placing her jewels in the sky to be stars, to show the people the laws they are to live by. Coyote impatiently throws all the remaining stars up into the sky at random, so the message is lost, and our world is a place of confusion. Interesting story, and it provokes a lot of "why?" questions from our preschoolers.

I really loved this book. It was hard to put down. I did not like that the main character's name is Welcome but that isn't important. Her "perfect" family is torn apart when she becomes pregnant at 15. She has to give her son to her aunt and uncle until after she is finished schooling. She learns the meaning of love and about consequences. This book really opens your eyes to values of the 50s and a Southern lifestlye. She didn't let circumstances stop her from becoming a doctor which was show more really positive. show less