Southwest Books of the Year
Children's Picks 
Selected by Helene Woodhams
Coyote and the Sky: How the Sun, Moon, and Stars Began
Poor coyote! He has a nose for trouble, and the evidence of his misbehavior apparent for all the world to see. Coyote figures prominently in the Native American trickster tale, a time-honored way of interpreting the natural world, and he's a very naughty presence in this playful retelling of a Santa Ana Pueblo legend. It was nothing less than Coyote's disobedience that resulted in the creation of the constellations, a tidy explanation to satisfy child-sized curiosity about the starry night sky. The illustrations are reminiscent of Eric Carle's collage effect, and children will delight in naming all the animals depicted.
D is for Drum: A Native American Alphabet
An alphabet book is at best a challenging format in which to present subject matter that extends far beyond basic words and concepts. The husband and wife team of educators Debbie and Michael Shoulders ably meet the challenge in this introduction to the 500+ tribes of indigenous North Americans. Details about Indian customs and culture, guaranteed to fascinate young readers, are presented in rhyme, while sidebars deliver supporting information for the adult reading with the child. Masterful paintings by award-winning Arizona artist Irving Toddy lavishly illustrate this fine book.
Geronimo: Apache Warrior
When the settlers pushed west Geronimo pushed back, trying to protect a way of life even while it was vanishing before his eyes. He remains a pivotal figure in any classroom discussion about the Native American experience in the Southwest. This volume relates his story in a highly readable fashion, and is liberally detailed with illustrations, photos, maps, original broadsides and lift-outs that summarize the narrative--a boon for those book report assignments. There's also a timeline that places Geronimo's life in the context of world events, a glossary and suggestions for further research that include museums to contact as well as books and websites. Even kids who hate the annual biography assignment will appreciate this fine book.
Hey Diddle Diddle
Theresa Howell has flavored a familiar nursery rhyme with some southwestern seasoning and serves it up with colorful and very clever illustrations by Liz Conrad. The result is a tasty little book perfect for the very youngest desert-dwellers, who will enjoy having a nursery rhyme with a familiar landscape. Parents, too, will be charmed by how appropriately this rollicking retelling assigns traditional roles to a whole new set of animals, from coyote (who howls at the moon rather than jump over it) to pack rat, who runs away with the shiny spoon, and everything else, in true pack rat-fashion. This sturdy board book is a must for every baby's southwestern library.
Life in the Slow Lane: A Desert Tortoise Tale
Conrad Storad can't write an unimportant children's book. The award-winning author of regional classics including "Don't Call Me Pig! A Javelina Story" and "Lizards for Lunch" hits another one out of the park with this endearing rhymed tale of Shelly and her Grandpa Tortoise, who leave rushing around for the jack rabbits and hummingbirds in favor of taking it slow and eating some flowers. With sun-baked illustrations that glow with desert warmth, this is a wonderful read-aloud that entertains while delivering an important message: the survival of the desert tortoise is threatened by our rush to develop the desert. A kid-sized glossary and some thoughtful notes from the author round off this very satisfying picture book.
Little Creek, The
Tucsonan Jennifer Ward, author of several desert-themed picture books, now turns her attention to riparian areas and the need to tread lightly in a fragile world. Grasses and herons, frogs and herons, coyotes, beavers, and migrating birds are welcomed by the little creek and they live there in contentment. People are welcomed, too, but their mistreatment of the fragile area has devastating results until a group of eco-savvy kids save the day. Ward's prose is straightforward and she makes an abstract subject accessible to even the youngest readers. The richly-colored illustrations by Julie Scott are glorious. A useful, child-friendly guide to riparian areas is included.
About Helene Woodhams