Coyote Places the Stars

by Harriet Peck Taylor, Harriet Peck Taylor (Illustrator)

Overview

A joyfully retold and vibrantly illustrated story about the origin of the constellations, based on a Wasco Indian legend.

One evening, crafty Coyote climbs the moon to discover the secrets of the heavens. Instead, he finds a way to make the most wonderful pictures for all the world to see. The next night, the other animals of the canyon look up to the sky, where they see a big surprise!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780027888454
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Publication date:	09/30/1993
Edition description:	1st ed
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.75(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	840L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Harriet Peck Taylor is an award-winning author, illustrator, and artist who lives in Boulder, Colorado. She received a BFA in Fine Art and a BA in Education from the University of Colorado in 1977. She began her career in fine art and continues to work as a professional artist. Her work is in public and private collections throughout the world. You can visit her at HarrietPeckTaylor.com.

Harriet Peck Taylor is an award-winning author, illustrator, and artist who lives in Boulder, Colorado. She received a BFA in Fine Art and a BA in Education from the University of Colorado in 1977. She began her career in fine art and continues to work as a professional artist. Her work is in public and private collections throughout the world. You can visit her at HarrietPeckTaylor.com.

Editorial Reviews

In this Wasco Indian legend about the origin of the constellations, a clever coyote dreams big and confidently pursues his understanding of the heavens. First he builds a ladder to the moon. Then, being skilled with a bow, he shoots arrows at certain stars, moving them into the shapes of his animal friends. Finally, he returns to the desert to share his handiwork. The two settings--one in the heavens, featuring coyote arranging the sky; the other on land, featuring buffalo herds running across the plains, fish jumping in the stream, and an eagle flying over the mountains--glow with the rich colors of nighttime in the desert. Taylor's batik-and-dye paintings are a good match for the casual, playful rhythm of her retelling. Ultimately, her book pays tribute to a beautiful world. A good read-aloud choice. Source note appended.

Kathryn Broderick