The Christmas Coat by Virginia Driving Hawk

 The Christmas Coat by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve




A.           Bibliography

Sneve, Virginia Driving Hawk. 2019. New York, NY; Holiday House. ISBN 1941813259



  1. Plot Summary

This is the story of Virginia Driving Hawk, a Sioux Indian that is in need of a warm overcoat to shield herself from the cold winter months. Virginia’s family cannot afford the cost of a new coat, and rely upon the hand-me-downs of others. On Christmas Day a package arrives for Virgina with a beautiful coat that is just her size.



  1. Critical Analysis (Including Cultural Markers)

Although it is difficult to tell through the illustrations in this story, the families depicted are of Native American descent. Through the illustrations, the men and women, boys and girls, all seem to be of an ambiguous descent.

The story follows a family that is struggling to provide for their children in the sense that they can’t afford proper clothing for the cold winter months that are approaching. More specifically, the daughter, Virginia, is having to wear a coat that is much too small for her. In fact, Virginia’s only Christmas wish that winter was to have a proper winter coat. As Christmas approaches, Virginia is surprised with her very own coat. The fact that these families are very poor, seems to be a cultural trend among the Native American culture. 

Surprisingly, the Driving Hawk family were of the Episcopal Christian Religion. This is unusual, because most Native American families do not prescribe to a fixed religion, and definitely would not consider themselves to be Christian. Furthermore, it is also surprising that the Father was the preacher for the church. 



  1. Review Excerpts

Publishers Weekly: “Sneve (Lana’s Lakota Moons) warm, nostalgic story recalls a holiday season on the reservation where her father was the Episcopal priest.”

 

Kirkus Review: “Virginia's personality shines through in this poignant story that entertains and informs without recourse to stereotypes.”



  1. Connections

dePaola, Tomie. THE LEGEND OF POINSETTIA. ISBN  0698113594.

 

Soto, Gary. TOO MANY TAMALES. ISBN 0698114124.

 

Morales, Yuyi. DREAMERS. ISBN 0823440559.

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