Roadrunner's Dance

In this original folkloric tale, Desert Woman creates "a new animal," with input from the existing desert creatures, to stand up to Rattlesnake, the self-styled "king of the road." She gathers clay from the Sacred Mountain and forms the body, allowing each of the others to "bring a gift for our new friend." Deer gives him slender legs to run fast; Eagle gives him strength; Heron, a long beak; Coyote, sharp eyes; and, from Desert Woman herself, comes the gift of dance. This resulting bird is called Roadrunner, and with his assorted traits, he makes a comic and awkward sight, tottering and falling on his face. Desert Woman exhorts him to practice, and "with time, he was swirling and twirling like a twister," and ready to stand his own ground. In the ensuing contest between Roadrunner and Rattlesnake, the bird outmaneuvers his opponent, much to the delight and relief of the animals. Diaz's lush illustrations are highly stylized and done in a rich, showy palette. Rattlesnake is a bright amethyst with jewel-toned decorations while the figure of Desert Woman is appropriately magical. A glowing golden haze outlines all of the figures, and the text is printed on a sandy background. -- Kate McClelland, School Library Journal