Arrow to the Sun

Author: Gerald McDermott
Copyright Date: 1974
Publisher: Puffin Books
Number of Pages: 40
Reading Level: Ages 5 & Up
Genre: Mythology, Picture book

Summary

This book is an Indian tale about how the Lord of the Sun sent an arrow (the spark of life) to Earth to the house of a young girl. She raised him in her pueblo, and he had no father. The other children in town would make fun of him because he had no father, and they wouldn't let him play with them. One day, realized that he must look like his father, so he went out to go find him. He asked the Corn Planter, Pot Maker, and Arrow Maker if they knew where his father was. The first two ignored him. Arrow Maker didn't talk to the boy, but he turned him into an arrow and sent him to the Sun--he could tell he had come from the Sun because he was wise. Once the boy reached the Sun, he saw the Lord and knew that it was his father. Before the Lord would accept him as his son, he had to pass through a series of challenges--the four chambers of ceremony. Those four chambers were the Kiva of Lions, the Kiva of Serpents, the Kiva of Bees, and the Kiva of Lightning. He was determined to pass through all four chambers, and he did so. Once he came from the Kiva of Lightning, he was filled with the power of the sun. The father and son were both very happy, and the Boy was then sent back to Earth. His father said that he must "bring (his) spirit to the world of men." Once he returned back to the pueblo, everyone rejoiced and celebrated in "the Dance of Life."

The illustrations in this book are very different, but wonderful. The colors are bright, and the pictures are so unique that your eyes are drawn to them. At the end of the book, the author has a note that indicates the artwork in this book was made in gouache and ink.

Reaction

I thought this book was great! The artwork was very intriguing and different, I loved it. It was also really neat to read this Pueblo Indian story.

Recommendations

I think this would be a good book to use in teaching children about Native Americans and their beliefs. It's great!

Problems/Conflicts

I didn't really see any problems or conflicts in this book.