United States

Materials from United States of America

The Gift Of Changing Woman

Describes the traditional coming-of-age ceremony for young Apache women, in which they use special dances and prayers to reenact the Apache story of creation and celebrate the power of Changing Woman, the legendary ancestor of their people.

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).

Rattlesnake Mesa: Stories from a Native American Childhood

Chronicles the childhood of EdNah New Rider Weber as she is moved from her Pawnee home to live with her father on a Navajo reservation and then is again uprooted and placed in the Phoenix Indian School.

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.

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.

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.

Meet Mindy

Details a day in the life of an Arizona girl of Hopi descent, looking at her family, the history of her tribe, and some traditional ceremonies and customs that are still observed today.

Apache Rodeo

Felicita leads a modern life but also participates in traditional tribal customs.

Less Than Half, More Than Whole

A child who is only part Native American is troubled by his mixed racial heritage.