HERIZON

In this fantastical, wordless tale, written by Vandever and illustrated by Begay, a modern-day Diné (Navajo) girl saves a flock of sheep neglected by her cousins.

After her grandmother spots wolves on the mesa threatening the sheep, it’s up to the young protagonist to get the job done that her inattentive cousins did not. While wearing a headscarf, a symbol of ancestral knowledge and support, the girl is able to take flight and land on a wild horse to reach the sheep quicker. When she’s flung from the horse into a river, she must use her scarf once again for shelter on a raft and then fly away from the top of dangerous cliffs. Eventually, she’s able to complete her mission. The story ends with the girl returning home and getting the scarf tied into a traditional Diné bun, further emphasizing her cultural connections. The creative, multipanel layout of this work would lend itself well to a longer graphic-novel format, and additional text in the back will be beneficial for educational discussions about narrative arcs, the author’s symbolic intentions, and Diné storytelling traditions. Overall, it’s a work that provides much opportunity for conversation, and the minimalist illustrations are unique and beautiful, particularly the view seen through the grandmother’s binoculars.

A worthy and empowering addition to any child’s bookshelf.