Coyote Places the Stars [Hardcover]

Harriet Peck Taylor (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up

In a retelling of a Wasco Indian legend, complemented by Southwestern-style paintings, Coyote uses his skill in archery to rearrange the stars into pictures of his friends, Bear, Lion, Goat, Eagle, and Owl.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-5-Based on a Wasco Native American legend, this dramatically illustrated pourquoi tale explains the designs of the constellations. It is the curious coyote who decides to discover the secrets of the heavens by creating a ladder of arrows he shoots into the sky. Once in the heavens, he moves the stars around forming the shapes of his animal friends, and he calls them all together to enjoy his handiwork. The simple, quickly moving text is luminously illustrated with colorful border designs around some of the text as well as full-and double-page spreads of the constellations, Southwestern landscape, and animals, created by painting dyes on cotton fabric and detailing with the wax-resist batik method. This technique affords an effective white outline of important objects. The onomatopoetic language makes this a natural tale for classroom reading, but the artwork can be best appreciated by independent readers.
Yvonne Frey, Peoria Public Schools, IL
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 5-7. In this Wasco Indian legend about the origin of the constellations, a clever coyote dreams big and confidently pursues his understanding of the heavens. First he builds a ladder to the moon. Then, being skilled with a bow, he shoots arrows at certain stars, moving them into the shapes of his animal friends. Finally, he returns to the desert to share his handiwork. The two settings--one in the heavens, featuring coyote arranging the sky; the other on land, featuring buffalo herds running across the plains, fish jumping in the stream, and an eagle flying over the mountains--glow with the rich colors of nighttime in the desert. Taylor's batik-and-dye paintings are a good match for the casual, playful rhythm of her retelling. Ultimately, her book pays tribute to a beautiful world. A good read-aloud choice. Source note appended. Kathryn Broderick

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing; First Edition edition (September 30, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0027888452
• ISBN-13: 978-0027888454
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,848,216 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Description from the cover, October 28, 2005

By 

S. J Parker (Edmond, Ok) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Coyote Places the Stars (Hardcover)

One evening, crafty Coyote climbs to the moon to discover the secrets of the heavens. Instead he finds a way to make the most wonderful pictures for all the world to see. When the other animals of the canyon look up at the sky the next night, they're in for a big surprise.

Based on a Wasco Indian legend, this story about the origin of the constellations is joyfully retold and vibrantly illustrated by Harriet Peck Taylor.

Harriet Peck Taylor's interest in coyote lore began with a young coyote who lived in the foothills near her home. "It used to follow me on hikes with my dogs," she says, "and once even touched noses with them."

Ms. Taylor received her B.F.A. in painting from the University of Colorado. In her paintings, which are in public and private collections, she tries to capture natural beauty because "if people can appreciate the beauty of the land, they will perhaps want to protect it."

Harriet Peck Taylor lives in Boulder, Colorado, where she is a full-time artist and enthusiastic stargazer.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Coyote Places the Stars NH, February 1, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Coyote Places the Stars (Aladdin Picture Books) (Paperback)

I liked this story a little and i think you did a very good job with the words and i think you are the best kid writter that i have heard so far. thats all i wanted to say!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Coyote Places the StarsTR, February 1, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Coyote Places the Stars (Aladdin Picture Books) (Paperback)

If you like star gazing then you will like this book because it is about a coyote and he wants to go to the moon and find the sars secret.So he goes to the moon and he places the stars in the shape of animals.He foes back home and tells allthe animals about what he did.All the animals like what he did and through him a great feast.After the feast he told the animals:I will always be your friend and the friend of your children and your children's children.If you listen carfully at a full moon you may here Coyote.He is telling you to look out ypur window to see what he has made and to dream.I like Harriet Peck Taylors books.I really hope you injoy this book.Because I really,really did.So I hope you do too.