Saturday, February 26, 2022

Herizon by Daniel W. Vandever and Corey Begay - OPTIONAL

Herizon by Daniel W. Vandever, illlustrated by Corey Begay.
PICTURE BOOK South of Sunrise, 2021. $20. 9781737496403 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When Grandmother sees through binoculars that the boys are sleeping when they should be watching the sheep, she shows the young girl who notices that coyotes are watching. So Grandmother ties a scarf on the girls head and sends her to save the sheep. She is magical, and flies, eventually catching a wild horse which she rides until she falls into a river and then rides the scarf to safety, fights off the coyotes and tells off the boys. Returning home, grandmother pays a special tribute to the girl. 

Heizon is a wordless picture book, which, on the surface is a story about family/community responsibilities, but, thanks to the Author's Note, the themes and imagery of the story is defined, and the reader sees it's really about female empowerment and intergenerational strength. I loved the discussion guide, based on principles of Diné philosophy. Be sure to scan the QR code at the end it links to teaching resources, more information about the author, interesting learning activities and coloring sheets. I feel the appeal of Herizon is mostly for indigenous children, especially Diné as it represents their culture.

Lisa Librarian

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