The People With Five Fingers: A Native Californian Creation Tale

By: John Bierhorst

Book Overview

A tale shared by the different native peoples of California tells how Coyote and other animals created the world and the people who came to live in it. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0761450580
• ISBN13: 9780761450580
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Amazon Children's Publishing
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 0.5" x 11.0"
• Age Range: 5 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Good Native American folktale for libraries

An old tale of Native Americans, coupled with abstract watercolors, comes together to form a picture book worthy of any library collection. The ancient animals have a premonition that humans will walk the earth. Coyote, the head animal, carves paths for water to flow; Gophers heave dirt to create mountains and valleys. Coyote imprints his paw in the soil to give humans five fingers. When humans walk the earth, the animals retreat to the ocean and mountains, while rejoicing in man's similarities and differences to one another. Bierhorst's retelling is simple in style, yet compelling as a story. Parker's expressive watercolors merge to showcase the birth of the land and mankind, while reveling in the wonder of nature and animals. Children, drawn into the converging artwork, will want to discover more about the animals presented in the tale. California libraries should feature this book in any children's display of Native American culture.