A young Navajo girl enjoys every part of the annual Shiprock Fair, including the dances, parade, carnival, exhibits, contests, food, and the chance to visit with relatives.
Songs of Shiprock Fair
Picture Book
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.
Quiet Hero
A biography of Native American Ira Hayes, a shy, humble Pima Indian who fought in World War II as a Marine and was one of six soldiers to raise the U.S. flag on Iwo Jima, an event immortalized in Joe Rosenthal’s famous photograph.
Ma’ii and Cousin Horned Toad
A lazy, conniving coyote takes advantage of his animal cousins until a horned toad teaches him a lesson he never forgets. A Navajo folktale.
The Mouse Couple
A mouse couple, in search of the mightiest husband for their daughter, approach the sun, the clouds, the wind, and a butte, before the unexpected victor finally appears.
The Magic Hummingbird: A Hopi Folktale
Malotki & Lacapa, who previously collaborated on THE MOUSE COUPLE, bring this magical HOPI FOLKTALE to life, telling how two children left behind in the drought stricken village of Oraibi, through their creativity & playfulness, influence Muy’ingwa, the god of fertility, to return the land to fruitfulness. EKKEHART MALOTKI, professor of languages at Northern Arizona University, has spent many years working on the preservation of the Hopi language & culture. MICHAEL LACAPA has previously illustrated four children’s books, three of which he also authored. Of APACHE, HOPI & TEWA descent, he has gained inspiration from traditional storytellers & the traditional designs & patterns found in SOUTHWEST basketry & pottery. His illustrations for THE MAGIC HUMMINGBIRD convey the range of experience typical of life in the Hopi mesas, from the dullness of the parched earth to the brilliance of the multicolored corn & the magical hummingbird who delivers the children’s prayers for renewal. THE MAGIC HUMMINGBIRD $15.95 (cloth) plus $3,00 s/h. Order from Kiva Publishing, 102 E. Water St., Santa Fe, NM 87501 (505/820-7413).
The Fire Stealers
Tells how several animals failed in their efforts to steal fire for the Hopis, but eventually Vulture succeeded.
The Flute Player
An introduction to Native American folklore – illustrated by the author
Less Than Half, More Than Whole
A child who is only part Native American is troubled by his mixed racial heritage.
A Boy Named Beckoning: The True Story of Dr. Carlos Montezuma, Native American Hero
This story reveals the life of a Yavapai-Apache boy named Wassaja, who was kidnapped from his tribe and sold as a slave. Adopted and renamed Carlos Montezuma, the young boy traveled throughout the Old West, bearing witness to the poor treatment of American Indians. Carlos eventually became a doctor and leader for his people.