The big bully on the block, or intros case the desert, is Snake who intimidates all of the other animals as well as the local families boasting that he is king of the road.The Elders meet and decide to go see Desert Woman for she had created all of the desert animals. Her first solution is to put a rattle on Snakes tail to warn everyone but it doesn't work . Next she took parts of all the animals and made roadrunner. But roadrunner was weak and clumsy so Desert Woman told him all he needed was practice. Eventually through lots of practice roadrunner defeated Snake and the desert was safe again.

Snake takes over the road and does not allow any to pass. Frightened, the villagers and animals of the desert approach the Desert Woman for help. Together, they create the roadrunner to guard the roads from Snake so people can pass freely. Roadrunner's Dance is a beautiful creation myth with vivid, colorful illustration. ( )

This book is about a mean rattlesnake who guards the road and won't let anyone pass. The Desert Woman creates a roadrunner who eventually stands up to the snake and lets everyone pass on the road. The people are no longer afraid of the snake. ( )

Larger than life, the Desert Woman who holds the power of creation, walks on clouds and rainbows right into the paths of our imaginations. Colorful pictures and imagery enchant the reader who eagerly awaits a solution to snake's frightening position along the roadside to the village. Assembling roadrunner part by part, feathers from Raven, a beak from heron, mesquite bushes for legs, the Desert Woman adds a final masterful touch: the gift of dance. When Snake is finally put in his place, the reader cheers to see the restoration to balance in the natural world of the desert.
Classroom uses: Students could create their own creatures using parts of other creatures and then add a story about the new creature's role in balancing nature. ( )