Byron Eggenschwiler

C’était il y a très longtemps, alors que les animaux parlaient encore aux humains… Coyote était alors le plus grand fauteur de troubles de la forêt. Un jour, il mit Lune dans une colère telle, qu’elle se cacha tout au fond de l’étang et plongea le monde dans l’obscurité. Vieille-femme et les autres animaux durent user de toute leur imagination pour la faire remonter dans le ciel.Un jour encore, Coyote s’empara des habits des autres animaux. Gênés par cette nouvelle nudité, les animaux commencèrent à se vêtir avec tout ce qui séchait sur la corde à linge des humains.Deux contes animaliers par l’un des grands de la littérature autochtone contemporaine, Thomas King, magnifiquement illustré par Byron Eggenschwiler.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 9.

This book is available in English: Coyote Tales.

Additional Information
56 Pages

Two tales, set in a time “when animals and human beings still talked to each other,” display Thomas King’s cheeky humor and master storytelling skills. Freshly illustrated and reissued as an early chapter book, these stories are perfect for newly independent readers.

In Coyote Sings to the Moon, Coyote is at first the cause of misfortune. In those days, when the moon was much brighter and closer to the earth, Old Woman and the animals would sing to her each night. Coyote attempts to join them, but his voice is so terrible they beg him to stop. He is crushed and lashes out — who needs Moon anyway? Furious, Moon dives into a pond, plunging the world into darkness. But clever Old Woman comes up with a plan to send Moon back up into the sky and, thanks to Coyote, there she stays.

In Coyote’s New Suit, mischievous Raven wreaks havoc when she suggests that Coyote’s toasty brown suit is not the finest in the forest, thus prompting him to steal suits belonging to all the other animals. Meanwhile, Raven tells the other animals to borrow clothes from the humans’ camp. When Coyote finds that his closet is too full, Raven slyly suggests he hold a yard sale, then sends the human beings (in their underwear) and the animals (in their ill-fitting human clothes) along for the fun. A hilarious illustration of the consequences of wanting more than we need.

Reviews
"Coyote Tales features two tales crafted together to reflect on a time when animals and humans still spoke to each other. The two uniquely crafted works teach lessons and demonstrate how to think and reflect, displaying the many ways to solve problems." - The Dalai Lama Center

Educator Information
Recommended for Grades K-4 English Language Arts.

Curriculum Connections: Social Studies, Language Arts, History, Indigenous Studies.

Recommended Ages: 6 - 9.

This book is available in French: Contes de Coyote.

Additional Information
56 pages | 5.25" x 7.75"