Picture Book

How I Learned Geography

A 2009 Caldecott Honor Book. Having fled from war in their troubled homeland, a boy and his family are living in poverty in a strange country. Food is scarce, so when the boy’s father brings home a map instead of bread for supper, at first the boy is furious. But when the map is hung on the wall, it floods their cheerless room with color. As the boy studies its every detail, he is transported to exotic places without ever leaving the room, and he eventually comes to realize that the map feeds him in a way that bread never could. Based on the artist’s childhood memories of World War II.

The Island

Poignant and chilling, this allegory is an astonishing, powerful, and timely story about refugees, xenophobia, racism, multiculturalism, social politics, and human rights. When the people of an island find a man sitting on their shore, they immediately reject him because he is different. Fearful to the point of delusional paranoia, the islanders lock him in a goat pen, refuse him work, and feed him scraps they would normally feed a pig. As their fears progress into hatred, they force him into the sea.

See the review at WOW Review, Volume 4, Issue 2

Ten Little Rabbits

A counting book that depicts American Indians as rabbits, each one reflecting a different tribe and tribal tradition, e.g Pueblo corn dances or Navajo weaving. The book is problematic in the depiction of American Indians as rabbits, objects to be counted, much as in the offensive rhyme of “Ten Little Indians.” The book is not recommended due to the stereotypes portrayed in the book.

Songs of Shiprock Fair

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.

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.