Coyote Steals the Blanket is a myth of the Ute tribe, retold and illustrated by Janet Stevens. This version of the story is friendly for children ages five through nine, and it features Coyote, a trickster prominent in Native American mythology.

Here’s a little more: In this retelling of a Native American tale from the Ute people, Coyote learns the consequences of taking what isn’t his and ignoring everyone’s advice. It’s only with the help of a wise hummingbird that he escapes a bad end.

Set in the canyonlands of the American southwest, Caldecott Honoree Janet Stevens’ illustrations are kid friendly and action-packed. A great read-aloud to gently show kids that it’s not a bad idea to listen to good advice and that it’s wrong to take what isn’t yours.

The book starts out by showing Coyote’s less-than-favorable attitude. “I go where I want, I do what I want, and I take what I want. I should be crowned King of the Desert,” he says. He refuses to listen to Hummingbird’s advice, and he doesn’t believe her when she tells him about blankets that sit in the middle of the desert.

However, he sees the ornate blankets sitting on top of the rocks. I love how Stevens shows his surprise with his wide eyes and hanging tongue. He nabs a blanket, wearing it as a coat, and he thinks Hummingbird doesn’t know what she’s talking about.

But the rock whom that blanket belongs to rolls after him. Rumble, rumble, rumble it goes. He runs away, and he becomes exhausted, but the rock keeps chasing him. His eyes pleading and his tongue lolling, he calls Mule Deer and Big Horn Sheep to stop the rock. He tells them they’re strong, and both animals, agreeing with him, try to block the rock. But the rock breaks Mule Deer’s antlers and crashes into Big Horn Sheep.

Hummingbird comes to him again and tells Coyote to give up the blanket, or the rock is going to chase him or crush him.  Since this is a Native American myth, the rock moves because the ancient spirit of the desert is inside the rock and pursues Coyote because he stole the blanket. Coyote, however, insists on keeping the blanket. He and Hummingbird fight; Hummingbird’s beak points down at him, and the dark coloring in and around her eyes accentuates her anger. But she, out of the goodness of her heart, flaps her wings and fans the rock away, though the rock lands on Coyote’s tail. She orders him to give up the blanket before she fixes his tail. Losing the battle, Coyote gives up the blanket, and Hummingbird fans her wings until the rock breaks apart.

After Hummingbird fluffs Coyote’s tail, Coyote runs off. He only wants to escape moving rocks and Hummingbird, though he hasn’t repented of thievery. How does the story end? The last page shows him carrying a load of blankets with several rocks chasing him.

If you want to give children a glimpse into Native American stories and show them that rebellion leads to negative consequences, check out Coyote Steals the Blanket. While this is a secular book, Biblical truths can be gained from it. After young readers go through this book, it’s good to remind them that like Hummingbird’s warning against touching the blankets, God’s warnings are for our good. Also, God is merciful like Hummingbird, and He loves children even when they disobey. However, He goes further than Hummingbird by helping children follow Him if they let Him, so they won’t be like Coyote and keep making the same mistake.

Click to tweet: Coyote Steals the Blanket is a myth of the Ute tribe, retold and illustrated by Janet Stevens. Review by K.A. Ramstad. #kidsbooks #FridayReads