Commentaire descriptif

Written as a prose poem with richly descriptive language, this tale is narrated by a young girl living in the desert who celebrates the wonders of the world around her. The days she deems celebratory are not the ones that are traditionally prescribed by the calendar—her New Year’s Day is the first day of spring—but those that occur as the result of extraordinary moments that cross her path: “You can tell what’s worth a celebration because your heart will POUND and you’ll feel like you’re standing on top of a mountain and you’ll catch your breath like you were breathing some new kind of air.” The objects of her awe include but are not limited to whirlwinds, falling stars, a triple rainbow, a green cloud and a chance encounter with a coyote. Set against the white page and incorporated among the lyrical verses, even the sand-hued illustrations have a poetic Native American feel as landscape melds into people and into sky. After reading this joyful tribute to the independent spirit, children may enjoy imagining new celebrations based on the special moments of their own days and lives.