In My Mother's House

First published in 1941, and chosen as a Caldecott Honor Book in 1942 - other titles chosen that year include An American ABC, Paddle-to-the-Sea and Nothing At All - this collection of poems presents a group of Tewa children's view of life in the Tesuque Pueblo, outside of Santa Fe, and was created

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because its author, for many years a teacher of Native American children, had noticed the dearth of children's books told from the indigenous perspective. Beginning with the home, the poems (or poem, if you will, as they are all interconnected) address such issues as the plaza, or public space of the community, the field and irrigation ditches, and the hills and mountains around the pueblo. The book concludes back in the home, as the young narrator(s) describes all of these elements of Pueblo life as making a chain: "A strong chain, / To hold me close / To home, / Where I live / In my Mother's house."

Apparently collected from the Tewa students she taught, these simple poems reflect the teller(s)' direct relationship with the world around them, their affection for their families and community, and their strong ties to home. The book was originally hand-bound, decorated with artwork from the children themselves, and used as a geography in Clark's classroom at the Tesuque Pueblo. It was later published in book form, with illustrations by artist Velino Herrera (credited here as "Herrara," he was also known a Ma-Pe-Wi), who was from the Zia Pueblo. Although not destined to become a particular favorite of mine, I did enjoy In My Mother's House, and think that it could be a interesting title, when used in study-units on the native peoples of the Southwest. The artwork, which alternates between black and white and full color, is gorgeous!

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This book could be classified as either realistic fiction or poetry. The story is told by a young child, who describes each aspect of his life in a Pueblo village. He describes the bricks that his house is made out of, the seeds that grow in the ground, and the horses that he loves to ride. This

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would be a great book to introduce students to the Latino culture that is still alive today in the south. This could also be used in reader's theatre since it is separated by sections, and written in verse.

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According to my copy, the poems were written by the children themselves, making Clark more like an editor than an author. Apparently the illustrator is native, too. So, I guess this has value for historical accuracy.

Unfortunately, I found it dull. I hope we have better books by & for native

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children by now.

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This is a Caldecott (for illustration) Honor Book.The reviewer for Kirkus said of this work, ". . .[T]hrough the eyes and minds of Indian children one shares the experiences of daily life, the things that are of importance in the Tesque pueblo, near Santa Fe, the home ,the food, the activities, the

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game, the crops. Though the actual form is developed by Miss Clark, the 'feel' is wholly Indian. . .Velino Herrera has illustrated the text in line and soft colors, 'borrowing' from the tribal art forms. . ."

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Lovely illustrations, particularly of the horses!