Summary
In every culture, disobeying a deity is a bad idea. The Wandering Girl, after bringing her sheep back from grazing on the mountain, has returned to find her people living in 'hogans' and she had no home. The Spider Woman teaches the Wandering Girl how to weave in order to stay warm. Renamed Weaving Woman, she wonders how can she weave in the cold winter? Man Who is Happy invites Weaving Woman to marry him and live in his hogan and weave all winter long.
The Weaving Woman was warned by the Spider Woman not to weave for too long, as the Navajo People try to live their lives in balance and respect the Middle Way. After the idea comes to her to weave a picture for the Spirit Being, she becomes enthralled in her work and ends up disobeying the Spider Woman.
Analysis
This book is a long picture book. I feel that this book is best for children 4th grade and up to read. I think the concepts would be lost on a younger audience. It begins with a drawn-out history that I don't find overly necessary. Perhaps in the context of oral story-telling it would come across better? The illustrations, however, are beautiful and do seem to depict the story Duncan is re-telling.
The illustrations show beautiful Native American skin tones and the landscape in which they lived. In addition, the reader can see the clothing, shoes, hair styles, and accessories the Navajo people wore. The 'hogan' is also depicted in the illustrations and shows the type of dwelling used in that area by the Navajo.
The narration discussed many cultural markers. First, is the language. Duncan uses names indigenous to the population such as Wandering Woman, Fourth World, Spirit Being, and more. In addition, the narration shows the changing of names when new crafts or events are introduced to their lives. Native words are also used throughout the book including Dineh and hogan.
In addition to the language depictions, Duncan also introduces other traditions such as the Hand Trembler and Shaman and how they ground cornmeal and chanted in order to heal the Weaving Woman. And finally, in the end, the book discusses the moral of not doubting the wisdom of the creators.
Review Excerpts
School Library Journal - Begay's dramatic shifts of perspective, his innate sensitivity to the land and people depicted, and the text's powerful message about pride's deadly effects combine in an appealing and meaningful way.
Booklist -
Although the message may have more resonance for adults than for kids, the tale appears here in a colorful, picture book edition that should hold the interest of primary-grade children.
Kirkus Reviews - After a start too dense with background, irregularities further spoil this tale: Spirit Being, who fills ``the earth, the sky, and the mountaintops,'' teaches all the people his ways, but somehow skips Wandering Girl; enthusiasm and artistic passion somehow become pridefulness; there may be a connection between perfection and entrapment, but children are unlikely to comprehend it. Begay's vibrant paintings are replete with the dreaminess that cradles the story, far outstripping it in their beauty.
Connections
Try reading some of these other Navajo tales:
Thompson, Hildegard. Navajo Coyote Tales. ISBN 0941270521 .
Oughton, Jerrie. How the Stars Fell into the Sky: A Navajo Legend. ISBN 0395779383 .
Oughton, Jerrie. The Magic Weaver of Rugs: A Tale of the Navajo. ISBN 0395661404.
Keams, Geri. The Snail Girl Brings Water: A Navajo Story. ISBN 0873587731 .
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