Review by Booklist Review
K-Gr. 3. Once a swift and fearsome young male, Old Coyote now roams the Southwest with a broken stride and a whitened muzzle. As the coyote walks familiar territory, he reflects upon his long and bountiful life. He acknowledges the old saguaro cactus that gave him shade and the sun that offered warmth, and he thinks fondly of the den beneath the large pine tree, where he and Mrs. Coyote admired many sunsets. Finally, knowing his time is near, he bids good-bye and sets off on the solitary journey all living things must make: Old Coyote found a perfect rock. He curled up and closed his eyes. He dreamed of running so fast nothing could catch him . . and finally, he dreamed his way into a whole new world. Wood's sensitive narrative serves as a gentle introduction to a potentially difficult subject, and Grafe's mixed-media, earth-toned illustrations beautifully capture the essence of it all. --Terry Glover Copyright 2004 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3-Old Coyote is nearing the end of his days. As he walks familiar paths, he remembers the wide open spaces before the city crept toward his home. He recalls a time when "his howl was so loud that even the earthworms up on the mountain could hear it." He can't run anymore, so he walks, even though his bones ache. He pauses for a rest beneath the old saguaro cactus and continues toward home, greeting Father Sun on his way. Finally, he arrives at his den where he and Mrs. Coyote share some tender moments. With the light from the full moon to guide him, Old Coyote heads out toward a gathering spot where he says good-bye to his animal friends. Climbing slowly to the top of a mountain, he lies down and falls asleep. All the while he is dreaming of golden days gone by, until at last he "[dreams] his way into a whole new world." This gentle and sensitive story is delivered in just the right respectful manner without being maudlin. Grafe's mixed-media illustrations were done in muted shades of brown and blue. The drawings are somewhat impressionistic, mimicking what might be seen by Old Coyote's aging eyes. A comforting tale that is suitable for helping to explain death to young children.-Roxanne Burg, Orange County Public Library, CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
An elderly coyote aware of his diminished powers reflects on his past, says goodbye, and prepares for death (""Sister Moon...light the path I have to take""). Like the book's hazy, largely brown-and-gray mixed-media art, the well-meaning but windy text seems best suited for adults coming to terms with loss. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Being "as old as coyotes get," a desert veteran takes one last walk in this grave but unsentimental valedictory. Seeing his reflection in water, hearing his own weakened howl, and, most significantly, realizing that he has "forgotten where he left his dreams," Coyote bids farewell to the rabbits that fed him, the cactus that shaded him, the sun, his animal friends, and his wife, then under the full moon ascends a hill and dreams "his way into a whole new world." Grafe's scenes of a grizzled coyote moving through, and nearly blending with, a desert depicted in subdued golds and grays add calm, somber visual notes; in the end, Coyote is transformed into a shadowy, leaping shape filled with stars. The journey's measured pace allows children time to figure out what's coming, and to get used to the idea; the view of death as transformation rather than loss may provide some comfort. (Picture book. 6-9) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
