1. Bibliography
Begay, Shonto. 1992. Ma`ii and Cousin Horned Toad: A Traditional Navajo Story. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 0-590-45391-2
2. Plot summary
Ma´ii (Coyote) is lazy, but always hungry; “He liked his stomach full, not noisy.” So, he decides to visit cousin Horned Toad who works hard at weeding and watering his cornfield. Rudely Ma´ii interrupts cousin Horned Toad and begs him to “share his corn with his poor, hungry, long-lost cousin.” Being a “nice fellow” cousin Horned Toad agrees to feed Ma´ii. But, Ma´ii is never satisfied and decides what he really wants is cousin Horned Toad’s entire cornfield. Luring cousin Horned Toad into his mouth by claiming to be in need of help loosening some corn caught in his teeth he swallows him whole and settles back to take possession of the cornfield Horned Toad has worked so hard to cultivate. However, the joke is on Coyote as Horned Toad settles comfortably into Coyote’s stomach; prepared to literally live off him.
3. Critical analysis
This traditional Navajo story includes two characters present in many Navajo stories; Coyote the trickster and mischief maker and Horned Toad, an honored character in Navajo culture. Begay explains in the afterward, “Whenever we come upon a horned toad, we gently place it over our heart and greet it. Ya ateeh shi che (Hello my grandfather). We believe it gives strength of heart and mind. We never harm our grandfather.” Writer and illustrator Shonto Begay of the Navajo Nation grew up in Shonto, Arizona located in north eastern Arizona where Ma´ii and Cousin Horned Toad is set. Begay’s watercolor, gouache, color pencil, and “magic” on color illustration board echo this area of Arizona; cedar and pine tree covered mountains tower over the valley, rolling in sage-brush, below. The double-page spread illustrations are awash in earth colors of red-brown, green, purple, and turquoise creating a soft-focus backdrop for grinning Coyote as he gobbles up the delicious steamed and roasted corn and hard-working Horned Toad. Lizards scurry below and bird’s of prey soar above as Horned Toad, wanting to tend his cornfield, his mind on the harvest, demonstrates the Navajo traditions of hospitality to visitors and sharing with family and friends. Included in the text are Navajo words, expressions, and songs of praise from Horned Toad for the bounty of the earth, “Working every day in my cornfield/Tending it with care/Praying every day in my cornfield/That rain will fill the air.” A glossary for translation and pronunciation is included in the back. Preschoolers to early elementary children will enjoy this traditional Navajo story where the little guy triumphs.
4. Review excerpts
Publishers Weekly: “Coyote, the trickster of Native American legend, gets his comeuppance in this strikingly illustrated and humorous morality tale. Coyote, or Ma'ii, visits his cousin Horned Toad and decides to take advantage of his hospitality. Stuffed with roast corn and squash stew, Coyote is too lazy to help tend the crops but wants the farm anyway. He tricks his cousin into climbing into his mouth, then swallows him. Horned Toad, however, swiftly proves that he who tricks last, tricks best. Begay (illustrator of The Mud Pony ) seasons his forceful language with spontaneous songs and Navajo phrases. Faintly drawn lines pull the eye to the focal points of his boldly colored, dynamic full-spread illustrations, which, like the text, pay equal tribute to the charming rogue Coyote and his earnest but resourceful cousin. Ages 4-7.”
Booklist: “Ages 4-8. When lazy Ma'ii the coyote gets hungry, he pays his cousin Horned Toad a visit, knowing that Horned Toad will feed him well. But Ma'ii becomes greedy and plans to trick Horned Toad out of his farm. His plan backfires, however, and so, to this day, Coyote leaves his cousin alone. Begay retells this traditional Navajo teaching tale, one of his personal favorites from childhood, with wit and humor. His softly colored illustrations, rendered in watercolor and pencil, are especially appealing when the characters' expressions reflect human emotions and foibles. A note about "Coyote out walking stories" is included, as is a glossary of Navajo words with pronunciation guides.”
5. Connections
Reader’s Advisory suggestions for those who enjoyed Ma`ii and Cousin Horned Toad:
Turtle’s Race with Beaver by Joseph Bruchac and James Bruchac
Raccoon’s Last Race by Joseph Bruchac and James Bruchac
Begay, Shonto. 1992. Ma`ii and Cousin Horned Toad: A Traditional Navajo Story. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 0-590-45391-2
2. Plot summary
Ma´ii (Coyote) is lazy, but always hungry; “He liked his stomach full, not noisy.” So, he decides to visit cousin Horned Toad who works hard at weeding and watering his cornfield. Rudely Ma´ii interrupts cousin Horned Toad and begs him to “share his corn with his poor, hungry, long-lost cousin.” Being a “nice fellow” cousin Horned Toad agrees to feed Ma´ii. But, Ma´ii is never satisfied and decides what he really wants is cousin Horned Toad’s entire cornfield. Luring cousin Horned Toad into his mouth by claiming to be in need of help loosening some corn caught in his teeth he swallows him whole and settles back to take possession of the cornfield Horned Toad has worked so hard to cultivate. However, the joke is on Coyote as Horned Toad settles comfortably into Coyote’s stomach; prepared to literally live off him.
3. Critical analysis
This traditional Navajo story includes two characters present in many Navajo stories; Coyote the trickster and mischief maker and Horned Toad, an honored character in Navajo culture. Begay explains in the afterward, “Whenever we come upon a horned toad, we gently place it over our heart and greet it. Ya ateeh shi che (Hello my grandfather). We believe it gives strength of heart and mind. We never harm our grandfather.” Writer and illustrator Shonto Begay of the Navajo Nation grew up in Shonto, Arizona located in north eastern Arizona where Ma´ii and Cousin Horned Toad is set. Begay’s watercolor, gouache, color pencil, and “magic” on color illustration board echo this area of Arizona; cedar and pine tree covered mountains tower over the valley, rolling in sage-brush, below. The double-page spread illustrations are awash in earth colors of red-brown, green, purple, and turquoise creating a soft-focus backdrop for grinning Coyote as he gobbles up the delicious steamed and roasted corn and hard-working Horned Toad. Lizards scurry below and bird’s of prey soar above as Horned Toad, wanting to tend his cornfield, his mind on the harvest, demonstrates the Navajo traditions of hospitality to visitors and sharing with family and friends. Included in the text are Navajo words, expressions, and songs of praise from Horned Toad for the bounty of the earth, “Working every day in my cornfield/Tending it with care/Praying every day in my cornfield/That rain will fill the air.” A glossary for translation and pronunciation is included in the back. Preschoolers to early elementary children will enjoy this traditional Navajo story where the little guy triumphs.
4. Review excerpts
Publishers Weekly: “Coyote, the trickster of Native American legend, gets his comeuppance in this strikingly illustrated and humorous morality tale. Coyote, or Ma'ii, visits his cousin Horned Toad and decides to take advantage of his hospitality. Stuffed with roast corn and squash stew, Coyote is too lazy to help tend the crops but wants the farm anyway. He tricks his cousin into climbing into his mouth, then swallows him. Horned Toad, however, swiftly proves that he who tricks last, tricks best. Begay (illustrator of The Mud Pony ) seasons his forceful language with spontaneous songs and Navajo phrases. Faintly drawn lines pull the eye to the focal points of his boldly colored, dynamic full-spread illustrations, which, like the text, pay equal tribute to the charming rogue Coyote and his earnest but resourceful cousin. Ages 4-7.”
Booklist: “Ages 4-8. When lazy Ma'ii the coyote gets hungry, he pays his cousin Horned Toad a visit, knowing that Horned Toad will feed him well. But Ma'ii becomes greedy and plans to trick Horned Toad out of his farm. His plan backfires, however, and so, to this day, Coyote leaves his cousin alone. Begay retells this traditional Navajo teaching tale, one of his personal favorites from childhood, with wit and humor. His softly colored illustrations, rendered in watercolor and pencil, are especially appealing when the characters' expressions reflect human emotions and foibles. A note about "Coyote out walking stories" is included, as is a glossary of Navajo words with pronunciation guides.”
5. Connections
Reader’s Advisory suggestions for those who enjoyed Ma`ii and Cousin Horned Toad:
Turtle’s Race with Beaver by Joseph Bruchac and James Bruchac
Raccoon’s Last Race by Joseph Bruchac and James Bruchac
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