Lord of the Animals : A Miwok Indian Creation Myth - Softcover

French, Fiona

3.62

34 ratings by Goodreads

9780711213487: Lord of the Animals : A Miwok Indian Creation Myth

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0711213488 ISBN 13: 9780711213487

Publisher: Gardners Books, 1999

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From School Library Journal:

Kindergarten-Grade 3. Coyote creates the creatures of the Earth, and then calls a council to decide what the Lord of the Animals should look like. Each animal suggests his own qualities as best until fur and feathers begin to fly. Coyote then instructs each one to create a clay model and declares that the council will choose the best. His model exhibits "the best" qualities of other animals and himself. It is man: he stands on two legs like bear; his eyes can see far and hear the slightest sound like deer; and, of course, he is clever and cunning like Coyote. This successful retelling of a Miwok Indian creation myth is comparable in content to versions cited in the source notes. The pictures appear to be a combination of watercolor and ink, and are richly executed utilizing Native American motifs. Animals are printed with greater detail so each one emerges with its own motif, adding to the mythical, almost dreamlike feeling created by the backgrounds. Illustrations are rendered in such a manner that text flows through the art. This enjoyable read-aloud or read-alone could be paired with other stories about coyote such as Verna Aardema's Borreguita and the Coyote (Knopf, 1991) and Barbara Goldin's Coyote and the Firestick (Harcourt, 1996) or a variety of creation tales.?Susan M. Moore, Louisville Free Public Library, KY
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews:

French (Little Inchkin, 1994, etc.) has created a visual treat, based on a Miwok myth. Coyote, who created the world and all its creatures, calls a council of the animals and invites them to create a ``Lord of the Animals,'' who will ``rule over us.'' The deer wants the creation to have antlers, the goat wishes for horns, the eagle believes it must have wings. Annoyed by the bickering, Coyote has each of them attempt to fashion a model from river clay. Among them, only Coyote stays awake, finishes his creature, and gives him life--the first Miwok Indian and ``Lord of the Animals,'' as cunning as Coyote. More compelling than the rather ordinary story is the dramatic geometric art, reminiscent of Southwestern weaving, pottery, and basketwork. Richly patterned, stylized animals and bands of color surround and enclose the text. Arresting. (Picture book/folklore. 5-8) -- Copyright �1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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