This book tells part of the story of the Navaho creation myth. This book focuses around the First Man and First Woman to walk the Earth. The story consists of different animals going out to fetch fresh water for these First Humans who are dealing with a dry, patchy land. Otter and Beaver fail at their task, causing them to remain living in swampy lake areas without fresh water. The frog and the turtle then seek out this fresh water. Turtle builds a stone shell to carry the water flask, and Frog gathers muddy water instead of fresh water. Therefore, they are both forced to live off of bugs that live in muddy and unclear water. Finally the snail brings back a drop of fresh water, which is turned into streams and rivers. The snail is than granted the privilege of keeping the water flask on their back and alway leaving a moist trail to remind people of the gift of water. This story tells the myth of creation that many of us have heard from different forms and perceptions of similar myths. What I like about the Navaho Creation Myth is that it portrays a tremendous amount of respect for the balance of nature and the environment we live in. I love that it stresses how important water is to life! The illustrations were also really beautiful and filled with symbolism that reflected the actions of some of the characters. For example, after the river is created, the water currents resemble the shell of the snail. ( )

My first thoughts while reading this book is that it seemed to be a mythical version of Adam and Eve and how to animals of our world were given their habitats. The characters in this book are named " The First Man" and the "The First Woman." They came up from the oceans and were in dire need for some water. They asked their trusted animal friends but they were no help. When the animals came back with no water, it was their destiny that they were to live the entirety of their lives in swampy and muddy places. The story actually tells us the gift that snails earned. When The First Man asked the snail to bring him some water, he slowly but surely finished the task. Because of this he earned "the precious gift," a water flask shell on it's back. This Navaho story is told generation after generation to remind folks that things, especially water should not be taken for granted. When this story was first told water was scarce and too dirty to drink or use. I loved the style of this book, especially the pictures. The illustrations depict life when life was not really there yet. I love the clever sky paintings that the illustrator also incorporated. The blue skies are made from swirls that are identical to a snail's shell. ( )

Part of the Navaho creation myth is told. The myth explains why animals are a certain way.

The book would be useful in studying various myths of other Native Americans or other Navaho myths. ( )