Customer Reviews

In My Mother's House (Viking Kestrel picture books)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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This book explores pueblo life in many ways, but it is the elegant artwork and the lyrical writing that draw me back to its pages again and again.

There is an interesting story behind this book. Ann Nolan Clark, at that time, was working as a teacher on a reservation. The tribal elders were (rightfully so, after all the treaty breaking) suspicious of books as "white man's word" and would not let Ann introduce writing and reading to the students by bringing books onto the rez. So she taught (as was usual for her) many things at once. She taught the students to write, and while writing they learned to read by reading and sharing their own writing. She had all her students write what life was like then, and compiled them all into a collection she called, at the time, something like Our 3rd Grade Geography. Because she wanted to relieve the elders of their suspicions where books were concerned, and at the same time show the students that books were written by people -- ordinary people -- she found someone who would bind a few copies for her.

After the bound copies were returned to the reservation, the tribal elders relented and let her bring in books with which to enrich the lives of her students. The most amazing side-effect of all this was that a very good friend of hers sent a bound copy to a publisher friend and the publisher contacted Ann, then they contacted Velino Herrara, whose illustrations are perfect for the book.

A must-read for all young children. A must-look-at for all aspiring artists who want an introduction to a wonderful style. Finally, for anyone who wants the music of the pueblo to run in their heartbeats and influence their own poetry, a book to buy and cherish.

Meticulously rendered color and line drawings give this book an elegant beauty. This is a good introduction to the lives of the Pueblo native Americans.

The book is readable at a first and second grade level, but is fine as a parent-child read-aloud for ages 3 - 6. Kids will probably just want to slowly leaf through the fascinating, simple pictures.

Story is told in dignified first person by a child. No plot, just short pieces on the land, traditions, animals, and people of the Pueblo.

As a child, I was facinated by they different ways in which people live. This book shows readers in simple, eloquent text and illustration a way of life quite different from the way most Americans live. In doing so, it shows the universality of human living. For very young children, Come Over to My House by Theo LeSieg (aka Dr. Seuss) does the same.

This story is an excellent introduction to the world of the Native Americans of the Pueblos in the American southwest within sight of the mountains. Their life revolves around the land and the other animals that inhabit it. They work hard and while their lives vary with the seasons, it is generally a sequential routine. It is a life of community, where everyone has individual and group responsibilities.
As the danger of global warming becomes more generally accepted, we are reminded that we all have a responsibility to reduce our footprint of change on the planet. One of the best ways to train the younger generation to help reduce climate change is to expose them to the philosophy of the Native Americans. This book is an excellent way to do that.

I first bought this book in Santa Fe, N.M. in the 1960's and have treasured it ever since. I was living in New Mexico at the time, so it had a special relevancy. I have read it to my children and grandchildren, though unhappily they did not appreciate it as much as I had hoped. I was delighted to find the review, "Pure Poetry," and learn about the book's background.
The text is indeed,"pure poetry" and the pictures are a delight.
I believe that it has continued importance today, as we strive to understand other cultures. I hope that it continues to be available in the coming years.