People of Corn-A Mayan Story

People of Corn-A Mayan Story.ISBN0-316-30854-4.Retold byMary-Joan Gerson, Pictures by Carla Golembe. Parent's Choice Silver Honor. Ages 5-10

People of Corn- A Mayan Story tells the story of how the Mayan people came to be. How the gods wanted them to have heart and so they created them from corn. Thus the Mayan people see corn as more than just food, but a true life source of all things. With pictures done in bright traditional colors they enhance the story. The illustrations are done in what I would call a traditional fashion as the reader could imagaine them done on a cave wall. For younger students the pictures also tell what the Author is writing. For example the author writes of how Mayan women weaved stories that came to them in dreams. The picture shows a women dreaming of a beautiful woven scarf with a story on it.

This is a great book to use during a civilization unit of the Mayan people. It gives in a simple way that children would understand of how the Maya's came to be. It could also be used when discussing the religion aspect of the Mayan civilization. It is a great way to discuss a civilization without using a textbook.