Coyote and the Magic Words

After the Maker-of-all-things uses words to create the world, she allows others to use her magic words until Coyote tries her patience with his mischief.

Grade 2-4-Coyote makes mischief in this original story set in the American Southwest and illustrated in striking, softly shaded pastel colors. A Maker-of-all-things, modeled after a Pueblo tale of Thinking Woman, brings all creation into being, from the earth and sun to animals and humankind, by speaking their names. As she rests, her creatures have only to use her magic words to satisfy their wants. Coyote is soon bored, however, and goes about causing dissension in this perfect world. When the Maker awakens, she angrily takes away the magic, leaving the people to toil on their own, except when Coyote tells stories. While the character and illustrations of coyote are of particular interest here, what may surprise readers is the depiction of a female Creator. Since the tale illustrates the power of storytelling, it will make a suitable addition to a teller's repertoire as well as an appealing selection for independent reading.
Yvonne Frey, Peoria Public Schools, IL
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Drawing on legends of southwestern Native Americans, Root formulates a new tale of the creation and the genesis of story: ``The Maker-of-all-things spoke the world into being''-- `` `Earth' ''; `` `Moon'...'Stars' ''; `` `Sage'...'Juniper, cedar, pine' ''; `` `...jack rabbit, coyote' ''; last, she makes ``us.'' Then comes a time when words are magic and need only be spoken to be true, and when most creatures are content. Only Coyote is bored; mischievously, he incites a man to say ``rain'' while a woman says ``sun,'' and another pair to proclaim, at once, ``night'' and ``day.'' In consequence, the Maker-of-all- things declares words no longer magic but then relents a bit: While it's told, a story's words are magic still. Root's Coyote is appropriately childlike; her lively narration is well-honed and agreeably informal, just right for oral sharing. In freely rendered, luminous art, Speidel revels in the Southwest's sunset colors while peopling the tale with deftly sketched pueblo dwellers, a stately Maker/Mother, and the slinky, insinuating Coyote. A sensible afterword distinguishes inspiration from invention. (Picture book. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Ages 4-8. Because the "Maker-of-all-things spoke the world into being," all words are magic. When creatures are hungry, thirsty, or tired, they simply speak and their needs are met. But Coyote, bored with this simple existence, sets the creatures against each other, and the resulting racket wakes the Maker-of-all-things. She decides that the creatures must work and wait for what they need, but she leaves them magic words for storytelling. Although Coyote, the trickster figure central to much Native American lore, is featured here, this is an original (not based on legend or myth), which incorporates elements of southwestern folklore. It is a simple but satisfying tale, with pastel illustrations that fill the pages with color and nicely reflect the story's tone and action. Karen Hutt