Children of Clay: A Family of Pueblo Potters

Children's Literature - Beverly Kobrin

One of the fine "We Are Still Here" series by Native American authors that sensitively reveals how cultural traditions are handed down form parent to child and blended into life in contemporary America. Among the other titles recommended in this series are Shannon, An Ojbway Dancer, and The Sacred Harvest. The foreword is by Michael Dorris.

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5-- A beautifully illustrated short work on the life of a family of potters from Santa Clara Pueblo. The book follows Gia Rose as she and her relatives drive to the mountains to dig for clay; prepare it for working; and fashion pieces that are then polished, sanded, and fired. In addition to the many large, full-color photographs, there are maps of the area and of the 19 pueblos in New Mexico, and designs decorating the large-print text. Swentzell does a good job of demonstrating the family's closeness to nature and to other members in the village. Although the author provides readers with only a glimpse of tradition, there is a list of books for further reading. While the subject will be of special interest to those studying pueblos or New Mexico, and to those interested in pottery, this book also offers a very personal view of what it is like to live today as part of a Native American community. --Yvonne Frey, Peoria Public Schools, IL