How the Stars Fell into the Sky: A Navajo Legend (Sandpiper Houghton Mifflin Books)

by Jerrie Oughton

Book Overview

This retelling of a Navajo folktale explains how First Woman tried to write the laws of the land using stars in the sky, only to be thwarted by the trickster Coyote. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0395779383
• Release Date: March 1996
• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.0" x 0.1" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Loved it!

How The Stars Fell Into The Sky, a partial creation tale from the Navajo Nation. This was such a cute read! First of all, it shows an interesting dynamic between First Man and First Woman. And (no spoilers!) First Woman's level of patience and care for the population of the newly created Earth. It's a good short read, perfect for little ones who you're reading to sleep. And it has the bonus of sharing how all Peoples have their stories and how we don't have to limit the books we read to our kids to those from our country/culture of origin. If you've got kiddos or spend time with kiddos, 10/10 recommend

Beautiful book

This book is writen in the thoughts and belifes of the Native Americans. It is about how the starts got into the sky. I kids 4 and 14 love this book. I give it 5 stars.

EVERYDAY PEOPLE

This book has a message for every age. Our everyday lives are entwined in our work and all we hold important. This book, has within a few pages, alot of the dreams that we must reach for in our lives, and the obstacles that try to sway us. It shows that even when we do not reach our goals life goes on. We do not see the consequences just the outcome of behaviors, our own and that of others. I would reccommend this book to everyone..

Starry, Starry Night...This is a beautiful story...

I actually purchased this book because I loved the cover art, and the title, "How the Stars Fell into the Sky," intrigued me. The image of the Navajo woman, star in hand, gazing up thoughtfully into the dark, "new" sky really captured and held my attention. I wanted to read this book! :) I also felt that it would be worth sharing and discussing with my students. The illustrations are amazing; they feel warm, soft, and alive--not harsh or garish at all. Each image underscores the emotions and actions of this story of First Woman who wants to communicate laws to her people---present and future--in such away as the laws would always be accessible and always be remembered. She carefully places stars in certain patterns until the impatient, meddling Coyote offers to help--which eventually brings the woman grief and human beings confusion. What's interesting about this story is the dynamic comparison / contrast that occurs with the main characters: First Man, First Woman, and Coyote. The First Man and the Coyote (Man and animal) are both extremely impatient to be getting onto other here and now "Life" activities while the First Woman considers the future, believing that writing the laws is necessary. Writing the laws requires time and careful efforts. It is a sacred duty she takes seriously. Thus, in this tale, the woman is the respectable, responsible, beyond-the-moment person and the dedicated law giver. (Some world legends and myths tend to place women in subservient roles and / or vilify them.) Her only mistake is trusting the Coyote to help her. [Perhaps, this is the warning embedded in the story: beware of "animal instincts," "urges," and haste because they can cause unhappiness, discord, and disorder.] "How the Stars Fell into the Sky" contains the following collection of universal themes that can be examined and discussed in group / class settings: First Woman is compelled to write the laws of her people. (Her mission, her divine calling) First Woman cares for her people and their welfare. (Identification with a Group) Coyote enters the scene (Animals with human characteristic--talents and flaws.) First Woman trusts the Coyote at first. (Innocence) First Woman witnesses the Coyote's tragic deed. (Experience) First Woman respects the world, nature, and all its cycles (Acceptance) Humanity has often looked to the heavens / stars for guidance. Stars are jewels of the sky trust / distrust impatience and haste darkness and light organization; chaos (confusion)

How the stars fell into the sky?

This is a thought provoking legend about the origin of the stars - the patterns and the absence of patterns to be found there. It contrasts human behaviour - represented by the first woman, with animal behaviour - represented by a coyote, and would be ideal for any child to hear, think about and to read. The illustrations are bold and vivid.

How the Stars Fell into the Sky: A Navajo Legend

My son is in 2nd grade and they're doing a unit on Native Americans. We read this book together and enjoyed the story as well as the beautiful illustrations. This book also lends itself to do the shadowbox project that goes along with the class studies. I enjoyed the Navajo concept of how the stars are patterned in the sky. We would recommend this book for the 7-9 year old group.