Fire Race: A Karuk Coyote Tale of How Fire Came to the People [Paperback]

Jonathan London (Adapter), Lanny Pinola (Author), Sylvia Long (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

Inspired by a legend of the Karuk people, the story of how Coyote captures fire and how Eagle, Cougar, Fox, Bear and others work together to help is a dramatic tale of bravery and cooperation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

--PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, April 19, 1993
In this gracefully narrated, arrestingly illustrated myth originating from the Karuk people of Northwest California, the animals have no fire to keep them warm. Wise old Coyote devises a plan to steal the fire that the miserly Yellow Jacket sisters guard in their mountaintop home. Using his renowned skill as trickster, Coyote manages to purloin a burning piece of oak. Though the evil sisters follow in pursuit, Coyote and the other animals execute a flawless relay, transporting the ember back to their home ground, where a willow tree swallows it. Clever Coyote once again solves the dilemma, showing how to get fire from the willow by rubbing two of its branches together. London's tale unravels seamlessly, subtly revealing the diverse personalities of the animals and the merits of working together. As in other books she has illustrated Long creates impressively realistic animal characters with an inventive measure of whimsy: Mountain Lion and Bear sport traditional Karuk necklaces and Coyote wears a woven cap and bearskin. This spirited Native American legend is in good hands. Ages 4-8.

--AMERICAN BOOKSELLER, Pick of the Lists, March 1993
It will take a lot of searching to find a more beautifully illustrated or carefully researched adaptation than this retelling of the Karuk tale of how fire came to the people. The tale itself suspensefully unfolds, as the animals steal the fire and claim it for themselves, but the detail of its artwork enliven it from cover to cover.

--SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, August 1993
Long ago, the animal people had no fire. They were cold and miserable and ate their food uncooked. Then that wise old trickster, Coyote, got an idea. If they al1 worked together, they could steal fire from the Yellow Jacket sisters who guarded it jealously in their home on the snowy mountain at the end of the world. So begins this Native American story of the origin of firemaking, a tale that features cooperation (even the lowly Measuring Worm plays a pivotal role) and a hair-raising chase down the mountainside. Told in the fluid style of the oral tradition of Northern California's Karuk people it has sure fire appeal for even the wiggliest story hour listeners. Older readers, too, wil1 find much to interest them, as the concise prose delivers a great deal of cultural wisdom, tradition, and humor. The double-spread water-color illustrations burst with action, and are remarkably accurate to the natural world of California's upper Klamath River, home of the Karuk. Many details of traditional life are incorporated in the paintings, including Native plank houses, basketry, cooking methods, and jewelry. A fascinating cross-cultural comparison of trickster stories can be made with Gerald McDermot's Raven. Culturally acuarate and artistcally excellent, Fire Race will enrich collections everywhere.

--KIRKUS REVIEWS, April 1, 1993
The Yellow Jackets are known to keep fire on top of their snowy mountain; boldly, Coyote offers to "make them pretty" if they close their eyes. With a coal, he marks them in black, then seizes a burning brand from them and dashes away. When the pursuing Yellow Jackets catch up, Coyote passes the fire to Eagle, who gives it to Mountain Lion, and so on until Frog, after hiding it in his mouth, spits it into a willow. It's not lost: Coyote shows the animals how to make fire by rubbing willow sticks together. Written with the help of Lanny Pinola, a Pomo/Miwok storyteller, London's relaxed version of this tale from northwest California has a pleasantly conversational style. Long's lively illustrations depict the animals and their habitat in intriguing detail; the text, lightly bordered with Native American motifs, is nicely integrated into the design. An attractive addition. Afterword by Julian Lang, a member of th

About the Author

Jonathan London is the author of more than fifty books for children. He lives in Northern California with his family. Read more about the inspiration behind Jonathan's work.

Lanny Pinola is a Pomo/Miwok storyteller, who works as a park ranger in Northern California. In 1991, he was awarded the Secretary of the Interior Stewardship for his success in promoting ties between the National Park Service and the Native American commu

Sylvia Long is the illustrator of several books for children including the best sellers Ten Little Rabbits and Alejandro's Gift. Ms. Long's detailed paintings are inspired by her love of animals and the outdoors. She lives in Arizona. Read more about Sylvi

Product Details

• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811814882
• ISBN-13: 978-0811814881
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 8.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #446,997 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Literature > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > United States
  • #26 in Books > Children's Books > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > United States

More About the Author

Jonathan London is a poet and the author of a number of picture books including the Froggy Series. He lives with his wife and two sons in Graton, California. Frank Remkiewicz has illustrated posters, greeting cards, the Animal Crackers box and numerous books for children. He lives on the Gulf Coast of Florida with his wife and three daughters.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars To read aloud, July 10, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fire Race: A Karuk Coyote Tale of How Fire Came to the People (Paperback)

My highest recommendation on this book is due to the fact that my five-year-old grandson loves the book and asks me to read it over and over to him. The illustrations are very nice and colorful, the book is done with wit and humor and is a fun read.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent and authentic, December 12, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Fire Race: A Karuk Coyote Tale of How Fire Came to the People (Paperback)

I found this book by accident in a local bookstore, and was astounded by the beautiful illustrations, as well as impressed by the afterword by a well-respected Karuk individual. The story of the race will captivate younger children, while the pictures will keep their parents entranced.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful illustrations, good story, January 18, 2003

By 

Catherine Hallberg "(Kate)" (Boulder, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fire Race: A Karuk Coyote Tale of How Fire Came to the People (Paperback)

I'm fond of stories from Native American cultures that attempt to explain the facts of the world. In this story, we learn how Yellow Jackets got their black striping and why fire comes from wood. Coyote is sweet and knowlegable; less of a trickster than he often is, and more caring of the animal community than usual.

The illustrations are beautiful and remind me of Jan Brett's. They have good detail and personalities on the animals faces. My favorite aspect of each animal though, was the token clothing or jewelry. Coyote wears a hat, eagle wears a necklace, fox has earrings. None of the jewelry are blatent but are subtle and understated, appearing as though the animals are comfortable in their adornments.