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Lord of the Animals: A native American creation myth.
Fiona Finch.
Subject Headings:
Grades 2 - 5 / Ages 7 - 10.
**** /4
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excerpt:
Long ago, Coyote created the world and all the creatures in it. Then he sat on the river bank and gathered a council of animals around him.This retelling of a Native American Miwok myth with wonderful, bold, full colour illustrations is intriguing and entertaining. Coyote, who has created the world and the animals, now wants to create the Lord of the animals. He asks all the other animals for advice, and they each want to give the new Lord their own attributes. When they all fall asleep for the night, Coyote seizes the opportunity to create the Lord with the talents he wants; and, that is why Man is keen of sight and hearing, and cunning - just like Coyote!
"We must decide how to make the Lord of the animals," he said. "If he is to rule over us, he has to be a very superior creature.
" "I agree," purred the mountain lion. "The Lord of the animals must be strong, and he must be swift and silent."
"No, no," said the grizzly bear. "He must have a big growl."
Fiona French has produced a very entertaining story. Two sources for the myth are listed: The Folk-lore record, Volume V, (London, 1882), and The Voice of Coyote, (Little, Brown and Co.), Boston, 1949]. This book would be an excellent addition to a library collection.
Recommended.
Luella Sumner is Head Librarian, Red Rock Public Library, Red Rock, Ontario.
To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.
Copyright © 1997 the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.
Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - September 19, 1997.
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