Coyote Speaks: Wonders of the Native American World [Hardcover]

Ari Berk (Author), Carolyn Dunn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2008 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

A one-of-a-kind compilation of beliefs, stories, and cultural artifacts from Native American tribes.

 

Coyote Speaks explains how to look at and appreciate Native American culture. For thousands of years, tribal ways and wisdom have been passed down in story, song, dance, and art from elder to child, from tribe to tribe, and from Native peoples to the world at large. This book gathers many of these beliefs and traditions, enabling the outsider to appreciate the vast and diverse world of the First People. Among the subjects addressed are: the meanings of certain animals and symbols, what shamans and medicine people do, and how the natural world, the animal world, and the spirit world interact. Of the more than five hundred known tribes, nearly fifty are represented, from all regions of North America.

 

The book is profusely illustrated with paintings, artifacts, and photographs and includes a glossary of tribes and an index.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up—A general overview of the myths, beliefs, and traditions of Native Americans as viewed through the art, artifacts, and stories of more than 40 tribes and nations. Using a literary approach, each chapter begins with a poem by Dunn and includes retellings of traditional stories from various tribes. The layout and photographs are truly stunning, but have more of an adult coffee-table book look than a kid-friendly style, and the text of the actual stories is small and hard to read. The content is alternately scholarly and whimsical, so that the audience and purpose are unclear. Unclear also is what, exactly, members of each tribe still believe and practice, and what was believed or practiced in a generalized past. While outstanding for its art and artifact pictures, and useful to pique interest in the mystical/literary aspects of Native American beliefs, this volume will not serve well as a research/report tool despite its full index, annotated list of tribes mentioned, credits, and bibliography.—Riva Pollard, Prospect Sierra Middle School, El Cerrito, CA
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Review

...meticulously crafted collection... In all, Coyote Speaks is a gift offered up with a delicate and caring touch, inviting both young readers and adults to explore its pages again and again."

--Children's Literature

"...there is nothing generic in this celebration of diversity and connections. A rich collection of exciting art and story that keeps the past alive."
--Booklist (American Library Association)

"This book encourages better understanding of Native American cultures in presenting through word and image some of the life ways and story-paths of America's first people. ...very highly recommended for school and community library Native American reference collections and supplemental reading lists."

---Midwest Book Review

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (August 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810993724
• ISBN-13: 978-0810993723
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #800,009 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Artfully designed with beautiful pictures, November 16, 2008

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Coyote Speaks: Wonders of the Native American World (Hardcover)

Rich traditions, stories and artifacts are ways in which we learn about the history and culture various Native American tribes. A beautifully designed book co-authored by Ari Berk and Carolyn Dunn, "Coyote Speaks Wonders Of The Native American World", provides an overview of nearly fifty known tribes drawn from all regions of North America. As the authors simply state, stories carry traditions. However, traditions are not always simple and they are what defined each tribe as its own distinct people. Artfully designed with beautiful pictures, "Coyote Speaks" will show readers the meaning and role of certain animals and symbols, what shamans and medicine people do, and how the animal world, natural world and spirit world interact. This book encourages better understanding of Native American cultures in presenting through word and image some of the life ways and story-paths of America's first people. Rich in design and ease of text, as well as profusely illustrated throughout, "Coyote Speaks Wonders Of The Native American World" is for young readers to adults and is very highly recommended for school and community library Native American reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Coyote tossed the stars, September 25, 2008

By 

M. Secara "maggiros" (N. Hollywood, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Coyote Speaks: Wonders of the Native American World (Hardcover)

This book may or may not be written for children; that will depend on the child. It is definitely not for primary age, picture-book readers, although the pictures are fabulous. It is not "A Child's First Book of Amerindian Mythology". It is clearly for older children, the smart kids who are drawn to myth and legend of all sorts, who are perhaps just beginning to discover that there's more to myth and folklore than the ancient Greeks and Romans. Prof. Berk and Ms Dunn have done an extraordinary job of collecting and presenting ancient objects and amazing journeys from the tribes of Native America.
That includes:
* Medicine people
* Word magic
* Creation stories
* Charming a stone
* Hunters, heroes, and travelers
* Tricksters
And more, including a reminder that the storytelling has never stopped!

In retelling the old tales, the text captures the rhythms and diction of Native American storytelling and song. The narrative prose that discusses and introduces each element is simple but not simple-minded, and grown-ups unfamiliar with this material should not find it too precious or too self-consciously "mythic". No one who's ready to read this book should have any trouble following Coyote's track.

The illustrations are remarkably clear photographs of authentic artifacts as well as contemporary artwork. Each one is identified by tribal source and meaning--literal and spiritual--along with its place in ritual or tradition. The informational text is clearly differentiated from the interpolated stories. Terms are defined, and there is a good general index plus a list of all the tribes and nations mentioned in the text. It is also beautifully printed and bound. It will be a part of my library for a very long time.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ari Berk is a true story teller, August 9, 2009

By 

E. Hawkins "PetulaDarke" (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Coyote Speaks: Wonders of the Native American World (Hardcover)

This book sings of the deep melodic voice in which Berk tells his tales. The photos are stunning and relevant to the text. I can name a few children who would appreciate this book and felt it honored the tone of the culture.