About This Book
"When Clay Sings" is a Caldecott Honor book that beautifully explores the daily life and rich culture of prehistoric Southwest Indian tribes. Through Byrd Baylor's poetic prose and Peter Parnall's striking pen-and-ink illustrations, children are invited to imagine the stories etched into ancient pottery fragments. The book serves as a gentle introduction to archaeology, cultural heritage, and the idea that objects can tell us about the past. It's ideal for ages 4-11, offering a contemplative read-aloud experience for younger children and a thought-provoking independent read for older elementary students.
The daily life and customs of prehistoric southwest Indian tribes are retraced from the designs on the remains of their pottery.
Discussion Prompts
1
What kinds of designs do you think ancient people put on their pottery? Why?
2
If you could leave an object behind for people in the future to find, what would it be and what would it tell them about your life?
3
How does looking at the pottery in this book make you feel about the people who made it?
4
What does the book teach us about how we can learn about history?
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