Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote
By: Duncan Tonatiuh
Published: Abrams Book for Young – New York, NY, May 1st, 2013
Awards: Pure Belpré Honor for Narrative – 2014, Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award for Younger Children – 2014
Theme: Although with the main characters being a rabbit and a coyote, and mimicking the tale of Little Red Riding Hood – this book mirrors the experiences of many individuals from Mexico trying to come over to the United States. The book mirrors the theme of immigration, but also discusses the hardship and destruction of the lives of those trying to find a better life.
Summary: Pancho Rabbit’s father has left for many years, trying to gather and make enough money so that his family can move to a better place. Papa Rabbit is scheduled to come home, but as the day turns to night fall he never returns. Young Pancho Rabbit sets out on a quest to find him – packing all the food and goodies that the family prepared for Papa’s arrival. However, along the way Pancho Rabbit meets a Coyote as a travel companion, but things turn for the worst for young Pancho as their journey comes to a close.
Response: How might you use this book in the social studies, science, or mathematics curriculum? Write about a specific activity you might do that relates to the content of this book.
Although immigration is a topic of much debate in this country, I would use this book as an anchor to this heated topic. I would use this in a social studies setting when addressing any aspect of immigration – not just those from Mexico to the United States. More specifically, I would use this as a resource in a compare and contrasting model to the immigration of many people to America – like those to Ellis Island and in other early American migrations, versus the current migration we have today. Ultimately, I would speak on the positive sides – the similarities and the want to have a better life. The students would explore these different topics, and relate it to the world today: brainstorming social justice for these people and how to accept them into our country.