When Clay Sings [Paperback]

Byrd Baylor (Author), Tom Bahti (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 30, 1987 | Age Level: 4 and up

Pieces of broken pots are scattered over the desert hillsides of the Southwest. The Indians there treat them with respect -- "Every piece of clay is a piece of someone's life," they say. And the children try to imagine those lives that took place in the desert they think of as their own.

Clay has its own small voice, and sings. Its song has lasted for thousands of years. And Byrd Baylor's prose-poem as simple and powerful as the clay pots, sings too.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin (April 30, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689711069
• ISBN-13: 978-0689711060
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.6 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #367,788 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #36 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Issues > Multiculturalism
  • #54 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Multiculturalism
  • #83 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Arts & Music > Art > Fiction

More About the Author

Baylor lives and writes in Arizona, presenting images of the Southwest and an intense connection between the land and the people. Her prose illustrates vividly the value of simplicity, the natural world, and the balance of life within it.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars beautifully illustrated, lyrical poem about pottery, November 22, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: When Clay Sings (Hardcover)

This is a book I would give to my grownup friends who are potters, or graphic artisits, or parents of budding artists.... I was drawn in by the title and the cover art, and enchanted by what I found...truly a treasure! It is about the centuries-old tradition of pottery and the stillness necessary to hear the small voice in the clay as it sings to the potter. A wonderful book to give as a gift during these holidays so filled with noise and technology and BUY ME! Enjoy.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Preserving Heritage, March 28, 2000

By 

Lone Wolf (Florida, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When Clay Sings (Hardcover)

When Clay Sings, tells the story of Indian pottery lying in the sands of the desert of the American Southwest. This pottery cries out with stories from the lives, customs, and thoughts of the people. The legacy of their lives are wrapped up in the art. The beautiful Indian artwork on each page matches the lyrical, imagery effect of the text. A great book for introducing children to Indian heritage or pottery in general.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clay Voices Still Speak...Cool Concept!, June 28, 2008

By 

Arcturus70 "Arcturus70" (In the Orion Spur of the Milky Way Galaxy) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: When Clay Sings (Paperback)

This is a beautiful book--in text, in illustration, in design, in concept. The warm earth tones are pleasing to the eye; they do not detract from the book's central messages: the value of historical-mindedness and respect for civilizations of the past. Though the book is intended for children, adults can glean quite a lot of educational treasure from it as well. I love the following soul-stirring statement from the book: "...every piece of clay is a piece of someone's life." A perfect reminder that, in the past, pottery was not only useful, it was highly personal and culturally meaningful. Pottery merged function with art. Without "libraries" of pottery surviving the centuries, we would have lost much human history.

Baylor's worthy book provides an intriguing introduction to basic archaeology, and it would be an appropriate supplement to any class and / or discussion about the cultures of the ancient Southwest or their art. I do feel, however, that most children under five years old might not understand / appreciate many of concepts well enough to make true connections with the story, especially if they are from a region other than the Southwest. Certain vocabulary words could be a challenge for these youngsters: desert, pottery, ancient, thousand, kneel, perky, speckled, polishing, tribe, fierce, canyons, ceremonies, etc. If I were selecting the target audience of children for this product, I would probably say 6 to 10 year olds rather than the given 4-8 year olds. But that's just my opinion! :)

Especially nice is the small map at the back, which shows where four prehistoric Native American cultures flourished: the Anasazi, the Hohokam, the Mimbres, and the Mogollon. The pottery of these cultures inspired the designs used in this book. My favorite illustrations are those of Kokopellie, the flute player, and the ones with celestial themes. Somehow, I found the bear-wrestling image rather funny! :) All in all, I am quite satisfied with this book--thought-provoking and inspiring.

People who actually craft pottery may enjoy this book because it recognizes and celebrates hand-made products.