Arrow to the Sun: A Pueblo Indian Tale

I was thrilled to find a Native American folk tale, as I make a concerted effort to choose books that are diverse. This week I feel as though I've made wise choices that I'm eager to share.

Arrow to the Sun is a brilliant, stylized adaptation of a Pueblo Indian myth tells the story of how the Lord of the Sun's spirit was sent to the mortal world of men. Casting an arrow, the Lord of the Sun sends the "spark of life" to Earth - creating a Son.

Ostracized by other boys in his village for appearing to be fatherless, his quest to find his Father begins. He must endure a series of tests to prove his worthiness. Ultimaley, he passes through successfully through all four ceremonial chambers and emerges from the Kiva of Lightning transformed - show more now filled with the power of the SUN. He is sent back to Earth to spread the spirit of the Sun to all his people, upon his return they celebrate with the Dance of Life.

The illustrations are stunning - rich in bold geometric forms that seem to radiate the power of the Sun. show less

The subtitle is A Pueblo Indian Tale, and the Caldecott-winning artwork is reminiscent of Native art I’ve seen, with a color palette rich with oranges, reds, yellows and browns.

The book relates how the Lord of the Sun sent his spirit to the people of earth. I cannot help but compare this Pueblo Indian tale with the story of Christ.

The Lord of the Sun sends a “spark of life” to earth, where it enters the house of a maiden, who then has a baby. The boy is persecuted by others, and then travels to his Father. After enduring several trials the father tells the son, “you must return to earth … and bring my spirit to the world of men.” So he returns to earth, and the people celebrate with the “dance of life.”

ARROW TO THE SUN is a Caldecott award winning retelling of a classic Native American tale. McDermott’s Pueblo Indian art style is a beautiful addition to the story. In the book, the source of all life, the Solar Fire, impregnates a woman by shooting an arrow down to Earth. The boy grows up not knowing his father and sets out on a journey to find him. Finally, he realizes his father is none other than the Sun. In order to gain his father’s acceptence he has to pass several tests. Upon passing, the boy is filled with the power of the sun and returns to his people celebrated. Interestingly, I found the story to be similar to some of the Greek myths I've read and even reminiscent of the story of Jesus.

There is a young boy who is ridiculed by the other boys because he has no father; however it is later discovered that the boy is the son of the Sun lord. On a quest to discover who his father his, the boy asks the wise Arrow Maker who his father is and the boy is transformed into an arrow and is launched at the Sun. Arriving in the Sun, his identity as the Lord's son is tested by passing through four ritual huts: the Kiva of Lions, the Kiva of Serpents, the Kiva of Bees, and the Kiva of Lightning. After passing the four trials, the Lord acknowledges the boy as his son. The boy is then sent back to Earth by his father, to bring the Sun's spirit into the world of men. This book could be used to connect to instruction over show more folklore/mythology. Moreover, this book could connect to history by focusing on Native American culture, and connect to science by focusing on the properties and effects of the sun. Due to it's engaging illustrations and story, this book is likely intended for first to fifth graders. Personally, I enjoyed this book because I love reading mythology and this book contained quests (a notable characteristic in mythology). show less

The "Arrow to the Sun" is a Pueblo Indian tale about a young boy's search for his father, the Lord of the sun. An arrow maker assists the boy's endeavor by making the boy into an arrow and shooting him to the sun. When the boy returns to Earth, he brings with him the spirit of his father to the world of men.

I enjoyed "Arrow to the Sun". It warmed my heart to read about when the boy had the spirit of the sun, he brought back color and life to his people; and they celebrated. That scene reminds me of the the story of Jesus and other spiritual stories. When Jesus returned to Earth after being with his father for three days, his people celebrated, and still celebrate his return.

This book would be a great tool to help students learn about show more the culture of the Pueblo Indians. It can also create an awesome avenue to open up conversation about all cultures of our nation and the world. I would love to compare similarities between the cultures in my classroom. Hopefully it would create a sense of unity with my students. show less

With bold colors and grand geometric shapes, Gerald McDermott tells the story of a boy's search for his father and the lengths the son will go through to win his father's approval. Every drawing brings you into the story and encourages wonder at what will be the fate of the boy.

This book depicts a young boy who is teased because his father in not present in his life. One day the young boy decides to look for his father in the hope that he finds him and can prove to the other boys that he does to have a father. When reading this part, my little brother got sad because he couldn’t figure out why the boy had no dad. He did find his dad but had to prove to him that he was his son and that he did. After meeting his dad, he was able to go back to Pueblo and show everyone that he did to have a dad and that he was more significant than they ever knew. I would use this book to teach hope in my classroom.