Customer Reviews

How the Stars Fell into the Sky: A Navajo Legend

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My son is in 2nd grade and they're doing a unit on Native Americans. We read this book together and enjoyed the story as well as the beautiful illustrations. This book also lends itself to do the shadowbox project that goes along with the class studies. I enjoyed the Navajo concept of how the stars are patterned in the sky. We would recommend this book for the 7-9 year old group.

I actually purchased this book because I loved the cover art, and the title, "How the Stars Fell into the Sky," intrigued me. The image of the Navajo woman, star in hand, gazing up thoughtfully into the dark, "new" sky really captured and held my attention. I wanted to read this book! :) I also felt that it would be worth sharing and discussing with my students.

The illustrations are amazing; they feel warm, soft, and alive--not harsh or garish at all. Each image underscores the emotions and actions of this story of First Woman who wants to communicate laws to her people---present and future--in such away as the laws would always be accessible and always be remembered. She carefully places stars in certain patterns until the impatient, meddling Coyote offers to help--which eventually brings the woman grief and human beings confusion.

What's interesting about this story is the dynamic comparison / contrast that occurs with the main characters: First Man, First Woman, and Coyote. The First Man and the Coyote (Man and animal) are both extremely impatient to be getting onto other here and now "Life" activities while the First Woman considers the future, believing that writing the laws is necessary. Writing the laws requires time and careful efforts. It is a sacred duty she takes seriously. Thus, in this tale, the woman is the respectable, responsible, beyond-the-moment person and the dedicated law giver. (Some world legends and myths tend to place women in subservient roles and / or vilify them.) Her only mistake is trusting the Coyote to help her. [Perhaps, this is the warning embedded in the story: beware of "animal instincts," "urges," and haste because they can cause unhappiness, discord, and disorder.]

"How the Stars Fell into the Sky" contains the following collection of universal themes that can be examined and discussed in group / class settings:

First Woman is compelled to write the laws of her people. (Her mission, her divine calling)
First Woman cares for her people and their welfare. (Identification with a Group)
Coyote enters the scene (Animals with human characteristic--talents and flaws.)
First Woman trusts the Coyote at first. (Innocence)
First Woman witnesses the Coyote's tragic deed. (Experience)
First Woman respects the world, nature, and all its cycles (Acceptance)
Humanity has often looked to the heavens / stars for guidance.
Stars are jewels of the sky
trust / distrust
impatience and haste
darkness and light
organization; chaos (confusion)

This is a thought provoking legend about the origin of the stars - the patterns and the absence of patterns to be found there. It contrasts human behaviour - represented by the first woman, with animal behaviour - represented by a coyote, and would be ideal for any child to hear, think about and to read. The illustrations are bold and vivid.

Beautiful book. The colors are so rich, and the personalities seem so lifelike. In this Navajo legend, First Woman's plan to write the law into the stars is going along very well, until Coyote the Trickster begins to help her. The law will be a guide to the people and it will help them live peaceful lives. But Coyote soon loses patience with the time consuming task, and flings the blanket full of stars to fall all over the sky.

The people have wandered in confusion since then.

This book is writen in the thoughts and belifes of the Native Americans. It is about how the starts got into the sky. I kids 4 and 14 love this book. I give it 5 stars.

This book has a message for every age. Our everyday lives are entwined in our work and all we hold important. This book, has within a few pages, alot of the dreams that we must reach for in our lives, and the obstacles that try to sway us. It shows that even when we do not reach our goals life goes on. We do not see the consequences just the outcome of behaviors, our own and that of others. I would reccommend this book to everyone..

Honestly, this is the kind of book I would have read once as a child and then never looked at again. But my daughter loves it and asks for it every night at bed time. I do like the color and style of the pictures. I do like that the vocab steps it up a bit so that my child asks what a word means and thus learns a bit when I read to her.

I ordered this book for my grandchildren along with a dreacatcher and a book about dreamcatchers. They really enjoy this Indian legend as to how the stars were put into the sky. It was shipped timely and an excellent price. I am very pleased with the purchase.

This is a lovely, imaginative book telling of a beautiful and mystical legend. The Navajo People used animals to explain the phenomena of the world around them. My 5 year old grandson loves this book. I love to read it to him.