After Geraldine, the goat, gets shorn, she is curious what her friend will do with her wool. Read The Goat in the Rug as told by Charles L. Blood and Martin Link for the goat, Geraldine.
Geraldine narrates as her weaving friend, Glenmae, uses the goat’s mohair to create a rug. Follow the story and illustrations as the goat watches and sometimes “helps” Glenmae prepares the wool, collects berries for dye, and creates a rug. Learn about this Navajo tradition, how weavers work and use (or buy) resources to create their rugs.
“My name is Geraldine and I live near a place called Window Rock with my Navajo friend, Glenmae.”
“I didn’t know what “dye” meant, but it sounded like a picnic to me. I do love to eat plants. That’s what got me into trouble.”
Curriculum Connections
Use this book to discuss Navajo culture, natural resources and how people work. Themes in this book correlate with Virginia SOLs K.6, 1.7, 2.2, 2.7, and 2.8.
Additional Resources
- Here’s a lesson plan developed to connect the book to the study Economics and Geography. There are worksheets that go along with this lesson.
- Use the Facts for Kids: Navajo Indians link to answer any questions your students may have about this culture.
- Watch a video on Navajo Weaving.
Book: The Goat in the Rug
Author: Charles L. Blood & Martin Link
Publisher: Four Winds Press
Publication Date: 1976
Pages: 4o pages
Grade Range: K-3
ISBN: 0689714181