A small green swamp just past the edge of town is home to two wild blue-billed ducks. But one day huge, rumbling, grumbling machines crawled, scraping and gouging towards the swamp and out poured the swamp’s precious water. Refugees tells the story of the duck’s misadventures in trying to find a new place to live.
Primary (ages 6-9)
Material appropriate for primary age groups
Apache Children and Elders Talk Together
In a world of latchkey kids, these books provide an extended family for readers. They provide participation in the community and traditions of some of the most revered and respected peoples in American history. Learn the importance of community and family, the incredible impact of elders as role models, and the value of keeping traditions alive in these magnificently photographed books.
Field Mouse Goes To War
A little mouse prepares to rid the Mishongnovi people of a hawk that has been killing their chickens.
The Flute Player
An introduction to Native American folklore – illustrated by the author
Songs From The Loom: A Navajo Girl Learns To Weave (We Are Still Here : Native Americans Today)
Jaclyn Roessel live in Kayenta, Arizona, on the Navajo reservation. Like most young girls, Jaclyn has many interests. She likes her math class, she plays basketball and volleyball, and she loves in-line skating. She is also interested in rug weaving, and she has asked her grandmother to teach her how to weave. For the Navajos, weaving is more than a craft or hobby. It is an important part of the culture and history of the Dine–the people. Jaclyn’s grandmother has explained that she wants Jaclyn to learn not just the technique of weaving but the stories and songs that go along with it. These stories about Spider Woman and Changing Woman have been passed down from generation to generation. In Songs from the Loom, photographer and writer Monty Roessel accompanies Jaclyn and her grandmother as they shear sheep, gather plants to dye wool, and weave a rug. Navajo rugs are highly valued and hang in museums around the world. This book looks at what the beautiful rugs mean to the Navajos.
Big Moon Tortilla
When Marta ruins her homework and breaks her glasses, her grandmother soothes her with an ancient story and one of her delicious tortillas.
Zinnia: How The Corn Was Saved
A retelling of the Indian legend which explains why the Navajo always plant a scattering of zinnia flowers among their food crops and respect every spider.
The Unbreakable Code
John’s mother is geting married and he has to leave the reservation. John’s grandfather tells him he has the special unbreakable code to take with him. This story portrays the quiet pride of a Navajo code talker as he explains to his grandson how the Navajo language, faith and ingenuity helped win World War II.
A Summer’s Trade
Tony saves all his summer job money to buy the beautiful saddle at the trading post, but when his grandmother becomes ill after pawning her valuable bracelet to help Tony’s uncle, Tony is faced with a difficult decision.
The Fire Stealers
Tells how several animals failed in their efforts to steal fire for the Hopis, but eventually Vulture succeeded.