Legends, Myths & Fables, Children - Fiction & Literature, Children - Fairy Tales, Myths & Fables, Fiction - People, Places & Cultures
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Overview
In the middle of the wide Argentine pampas there once grew a magic tree. Above this tree slept a bird so evil it could stop the rain from falling. And not far from this tree lived a brave boy who one day set out to save his village and all the creatures from dying of thirst. Illustrated with charming folk-art-like paintings and retold with simplicity and drama, this legend of a child's courage and faith explains why Argentineans believe that good luck can be found in the shade of a carob tree.A young Quechuan boy sets out on his own to bring the rains back to his parched homeland and is rewarded by a gift of carob beans that come to be prized across Argentina.
Editorials
Children's Literature -
This legend from Argentina is written to reflect the oral tradition. Flowery phrases, interesting words and a longer length make for a picture book most appropriate for children ages 8 and older. The story is set around the carob tree. A young boy who lives near the carob tree sets out to save his village, the animals and all creatures of the pampas from dying of thirst. First the young boy must deal with the bird who lives in the carob tree...a bird so evil that it can stop the rain. This legend explains why Argentineans believe in the good luck found in the shade of a carob tree. The text is nice and the illustrations play a large role in the telling of the story. As stated before, this book is better suited for older children in a read aloud session, or as part of a unit on legends and fables.School Library Journal
K-Gr 5This pourquoi tale from the Quechua people of Argentina tells of the first tree in the world, a carob. When drought comes to the pampas, a young boy named Topec goes in search of rain. The carob tree tells him that he must send away the Great Bird of the Underworld that roosts in its highest branches. Topec brings his people to make noise; the animals join in the racket, and the bird flies away allowing the gods to hear the people's prayers and send rain. As a reward, the carob sheds beans, which provide food for everyone; soon carob trees spread throughout Argentina. The theme of a small or weak animal or child who saves the people is eternally satisfying, and children can easily identify with the hero, although Topec's task is less arduous than some. Vidal's stylized paintings are dramatic and colorful, especially in the portrayal of the supernatural bird. One problematic element of this well-told tale is that although the carob (Ceratonia siliqua) is indeed so useful as to seem magical, it is not indigenous to the New World, and thus could not have been known to the Quechuas before the arrival of the Spanish. Also, the tree pictured often looks like a tamarind, also an Old World native.Pam Gosner, formerly at Maplewood Memorial Library, NJSchool Library Journal
An Argentine version of a Quechua story tells how young Topec saves his people from drought by going out in search of rain, aided by the advice of a wise, old carob tree. Vidal uses rich colors and a naive style to enhance the mood and setting of this ancient story. (PreS-Gr 3) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.NY Times Book Review
In Argentina it is the custom to plant carob trees near houses for luck, and the story o fthe brave boy named Topec, who figured out how to scare away the Great Bird of the Underworld who was roosting in the branches, explains why. The Argentine artist's illustrations have a whimsical charm.Book Details
Published
March 30, 1998
Publisher
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Pages
32
ISBN
9780547561837