Coyote Christmas: A Lakota Story

Nelson, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, uses the traditional Coyote trickster character as the focus of his contemporary holiday story, set on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in the Dakotas. Coyote uses his magical tricks to create a Santa costume, complete with a gift sack full of straw, so that he can get into a family’s house for Christmas Eve dinner. His comical act succeeds in fooling the entire family, which consists of two grandparents, their granddaughter, Isabel, and their grandson, Davy, who uses a wheelchair. Coyote himself is tricked when the straw in his gift sack is mysteriously transformed into gift-wrapped presents for each member of the family, including an empty box for Davy with an invisible gift that restores his ability to walk. Though the plot’s resolution is rather melodramatic, Nelson pulls it off with his confident style as a storyteller. His polished illustrations bring the comical Coyote to life, maintaining his personality even when Coyote is eating spaghetti and meatballs or dancing on top of a fence. An informative, well-written author’s note details the history of the Coyote character in Native-American legends. (Picture book. 5-9)

Copyright 2007 Kirkus Reviews, LLC Used with permission

Gr 1-3 The infamous trickster decides to con some people out of a hot meal on Christmas Eve. Posing as Santa, Coyote is invited in at a ranch house and royally entertained. While the charade unfolds, some unexpected magic takes place and he ends up delivering gifts all around. Sister Raven watches and has the last laugh. An authors note offers insight on Coyotes background and abilities. The splendid acrylic artwork captures the action, the humor, and the spirit of the tale. A nice addition for those collecting a variety of trickster tales. - Diane Olivo-Posner, Long Beach Public Library, CA

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Magic abounds on the trail of Coyote, a trickster set on scoring some tasty Christmas grub in this confusing original folktale inspired by Lakota Sioux legend and set on an Indian reservation. Coyote hatches his grandest ruse ever: he disguises himself as Santa and lands an invitation to a kindly clan's Christmas Eve dinner. But the joke's on Coyote when his scheme is upstaged by some meddling by Sister Raven (and, perhaps, by the spirit of Christmas itself). Readers will be just as surprised as Coyote: What exactly is going on when the family opens their gifts from a Santa not even Coyote knows and they find delightful objects for everyoneexcept an empty box for wheelchair-bound young Davy? (He has regained the use of his legs.) The tale ends on an oddly sour note, not much relieved by the zesty North Dakota snowscapes throughout. Ages 5-9. (Dec.)

Copyright 2007 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.