Coyote Goes Walking

Used book sales are a great place to discover older gems that are still a wonderful read for children no matter what the year. This 1995 book about Coyote is one of those treasures. If your child likes animals, there are four stories that they will enjoy hearing or reading: Coyote Creates a New World Coyote and Mice Coyote and Woodpecker Coyote and the Buffalo Bull If your child has a curiosity for the world, there are plenty of discussion points and places to "educate." For instance the first story starts with Coyote sitting atop a mesa (mom what is a mesa?). He decides to build his own world. He builds a raft of buffalo chips (mom what are buffalo chips?)--which is sure to get either a giggle or an "ewww" when you explain what buffalo chips are. Each story is structured in such a way that there is a moral to it. It is not preachy, but you can interpret for your child or have your child guess. The illustrations are beautifully drawn too which is an added bonus to any book!

This book by far is one of my four year old daughter's favorites. It was wonderful to expose her to concepts about how a new world was created, the sacred pipe, Sun Dances and more. I found it a great introduction to a Native American point of view. This book has four short stories: Coyote Creates A New World, Coyote and Mice, Coyote and Woodpecker, and Coyote and the Buffalo Bull. They are perfect read apart, or cover to cover. The pictures are superb! The intro by the author even explains Coyote's role. I recommend this book for all ages.