Bibliographic Data: Sneve, Virginia Driving Hawk. The Christmas Coat, Ill. by Ellen Beier. New York: Holiday House, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-8234-2134-3
Plot Summary:
It gets really cold in the South Dakota prairies during winter, and as the Sioux children must walk to school they shake and shiver under their too-small coats. Virginia, her brother, and the other families receive winter clothing through “Theast boxes”, donations from churches in New England. Despite this generosity Virginia hardly ever gets winter clothing her size, because, as her priest father tells them, others need these items much more than they do. This story ends proving that altruism pays off, and one should never under estimate the kindness of strangers.
Critical Analysis:
Virginia Sneve is a dynamic author that writes authentic, beautiful, and moving stories based on her adventures/life growing up in the Sioux Tribe in South Dakota. She utilizes her own last name, “Driving Hawk” for the main character’s last name, as this is a story based on events from her own childhood. She interweaves Native American cultural markers to further add to the authenticity of the story, such as last names like, “Buffalo”, “Little Money”, and “High bear”. She speaks of the close relationship between herself, family, and community members, and gives insight into traditional holiday foods enjoyed by the tribe, such as the corn soup meal they share with one another. It is a relief to read a story about Native Americans / Christmas traditions and not have it feel bogged down by hokeiness or inauthentic depictions of this culture.
The watercolors paired with the story are incredible, and the reason I chose to read this book over the others. Ellen Beier masterfully utilizes gouache, watercolors, and every inch of each page allotted to portray the setting and characters in “The Christmas Coat”. There are subtle details showing the dilapidation of some of the buildings, hinting at the poverty of the tribe, juxtaposed by rich, bold, beautiful blacks used to saturate the pupils of the characters beautiful eyes. The characters are dressed in standard clothes of the Sioux, females in skirts/dresses, boys in pants, and there are no stereotypical/silly nudges to the fact they are Native American. I really appreciate that both author and illustrator are telling a sweet Christmas story that just happens to be about the Sioux tribe, and that it is not a Sioux story about Christmas. This is an excellent story, with a great message that should be included in all libraries.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews-"Virginia's personality shines through in this poignant story that entertains and informs without recourse to stereotypes.”
Smithsonian Magazine- "The author recalls a childhood when an act of simple kindness ultimately became its own reward."
Awards:
2011 Youth Literature Award from the American Indian Library Association
Connections:
After reading this story, children can form a circle around the teacher/librarian, and everyone can talk about what their traditions are over the holidays. They can discuss whether or not they celebrate Christmas, what foods they prepare and eat as a family, what crafts they create or gifts they bestow to one another. It is important to teach children that not everyone celebrates or believes the same thing, and through the sharing of their differences they can learn so much.
Plot Summary:
It gets really cold in the South Dakota prairies during winter, and as the Sioux children must walk to school they shake and shiver under their too-small coats. Virginia, her brother, and the other families receive winter clothing through “Theast boxes”, donations from churches in New England. Despite this generosity Virginia hardly ever gets winter clothing her size, because, as her priest father tells them, others need these items much more than they do. This story ends proving that altruism pays off, and one should never under estimate the kindness of strangers.
Critical Analysis:
Virginia Sneve is a dynamic author that writes authentic, beautiful, and moving stories based on her adventures/life growing up in the Sioux Tribe in South Dakota. She utilizes her own last name, “Driving Hawk” for the main character’s last name, as this is a story based on events from her own childhood. She interweaves Native American cultural markers to further add to the authenticity of the story, such as last names like, “Buffalo”, “Little Money”, and “High bear”. She speaks of the close relationship between herself, family, and community members, and gives insight into traditional holiday foods enjoyed by the tribe, such as the corn soup meal they share with one another. It is a relief to read a story about Native Americans / Christmas traditions and not have it feel bogged down by hokeiness or inauthentic depictions of this culture.
The watercolors paired with the story are incredible, and the reason I chose to read this book over the others. Ellen Beier masterfully utilizes gouache, watercolors, and every inch of each page allotted to portray the setting and characters in “The Christmas Coat”. There are subtle details showing the dilapidation of some of the buildings, hinting at the poverty of the tribe, juxtaposed by rich, bold, beautiful blacks used to saturate the pupils of the characters beautiful eyes. The characters are dressed in standard clothes of the Sioux, females in skirts/dresses, boys in pants, and there are no stereotypical/silly nudges to the fact they are Native American. I really appreciate that both author and illustrator are telling a sweet Christmas story that just happens to be about the Sioux tribe, and that it is not a Sioux story about Christmas. This is an excellent story, with a great message that should be included in all libraries.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews-"Virginia's personality shines through in this poignant story that entertains and informs without recourse to stereotypes.”
Smithsonian Magazine- "The author recalls a childhood when an act of simple kindness ultimately became its own reward."
Awards:
2011 Youth Literature Award from the American Indian Library Association
Connections:
After reading this story, children can form a circle around the teacher/librarian, and everyone can talk about what their traditions are over the holidays. They can discuss whether or not they celebrate Christmas, what foods they prepare and eat as a family, what crafts they create or gifts they bestow to one another. It is important to teach children that not everyone celebrates or believes the same thing, and through the sharing of their differences they can learn so much.