How the Stars Fell into the Sky by Jerrie Oughton

The simple, lyrical narrative invokes the tone of storytelling and uses dialogue and descriptive language to enhance this style and accompany the illustrations. I will also be adding this book to my personal collection.Įvaluation: Stylized paintings full of pattern and bold shapes with saturated jewel tones portray the desert setting with splashes of brightness for the stars and the night sky.

It would make an excellent resource for many ages, as it is simple enough for young children to understand but presents themes which older children can also explore. Personal Response: This is a beautifully drawn retelling of a Navajo legend, which unlike many other creation stories, removes blame from early women, and shows the interconnected nature of Native Americans with the natural world. This is a retelling of a Navajo legend that explains the mysteries of Earth in the beginning of time. Coyote, exasperated with the task, simply flings the stars up to the sky, blocking First Woman's careful creation and leaving humans confused forever. Theme: patterns of nature, the interconnection of humans with the natural world, the importance of patience and following rulesīrief Summary: This is a pourquoi tale explaining how the stars were placed in the sky by an impatient Coyote who volunteered to help First Woman write the laws of the people into the sky so that all humans could read them. 'About this title' may belong to another edition of this title.Genre: picture book/ traditional literature (multicultural selection) of Washington Extension, SeattleĬopyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. This handsome book might well fit into a myth or Native American collection, but it can stand on its own timely and attractive merits as well. The claret-sandstone earth and deep lapis sky, meeting at a curved horizon, dominate most pages the white of eyes and starlight punctuate the design. All Editions of How the Stars Fell Into the Sky: A Navajo Legend 1996, Hardcover ISBN-13: 9780613001793 1992, Hardcover ISBN-13: 9780395587980 Books by Jerrie Oughton How the Stars Fell Into the Sky: A Navajo Legend Starting at 0.99 War in Georgia CL Starting at 1.45 Music from a Place Called Half Moon Starting at 1.

The concise and graceful text is matched with illustrations in a primitive but dramatic vein, marked by simplified shapes, saturated matte colors, and desert-stark composition. It absolves humans of guilt (Coyote did it) and provides a First Woman who is a strong, positive, and beneficent figure. never knowing the reason for the confusion that would always dwell among them.'' This Navajo tale acknowledges the common human feeling that there IS a message in the stars-the laws of a clear and orderly universe-if it could be read. As the second day dawns, the people go about their lives, ``. She takes a blanket full of her jewels (stars) and with infinite patience begins ``designing her pattern so all could read it.'' Coyote asks to help, but when he sees the magnitude of the task he grumbles, then flings the remaining stars into the night sky, forever obscuring the pattern. Kindergarten-Grade 3- At the end of the first day, First Woman tries to convince First Man that ``The people need to know the laws.'' Impatiently, he tells her to write them in the sky.

How the Stars Fell into the Sky by Jerrie Oughton