Joe Hayes brings to life ten more cuentos from the rich tradition of northern New Mexico (check out The Day It Snowed Tortillas to find some more). You’ll hear about Gato Pinto, the spotted cat who was a boy’s guardian angel; about the man who couldn’t stop dancing; about the coyote under the table; and many more mysterious events.

In his introduction to Coyote &, Joe Hayes says, “Many American Indian stories are sacred. They are part of the religion of the people who tell them, and so belong to just one tribe or sometimes just a part of the tribe. Sometimes Coyote plays a role in these religious stories. But the coyote stories in this collection are different. They are told for entertainment. They are especially loved by children, who delight in Coyote’s foolish antics.”

These are magical and mysterious tales about a world in which all things are living creatures. There’s a story about the Evil Giant with a heart made of thorns and cactus needles. And another story tells about the Girl who married the Rainbow!

Do you know what a tall tale is? Well if you don't, you better catch these clever stories. Some of these tales are even taller than Joe Hayes! Did you ever hear of a dog that knows how to play checkers? (He’s really not that smart: he loses more times than he wins.)

Joe Hayes tells stories from Byrd Baylor's marvelous collection of stories told by Arizona Indian children.