Overview
Once there was a time when the people of the earth did not have to tend the fields, for the Sun’s daughters—Maize, Pumpkin, and Red Bean—walked among them, leaving lush crops wherever they stepped. But then headstrong Maize disobeyed her mother and was trapped by cold, lonely Silver, and the Sun vowed not to touch the earth again until Maize was returned.
How the tiny pewee bird saved Maize and kept the people from starving is eloquently told in this tale, which, though based on an Iroquois legend, parallels the Greek myth of Persephone and Demeter. The lovely, unusual images in the text are dramatically complemented by R. Gregory Christie’s masterful paintings. Afterword.
Synopsis
Once there was a time when the people of the earth did not have to tend the fields, for the Sun’s daughters—Maize, Pumpkin, and Red Bean—walked among them, leaving lush crops wherever they stepped. But then headstrong Maize disobeyed her mother and was trapped by cold, lonely Silver, and the Sun vowed not to touch the earth again until Maize was returned.
How the tiny pewee bird saved Maize and kept the people from starving is eloquently told in this tale, which, though based on an Iroquois legend, parallels the Greek myth of Persephone and Demeter. The lovely, unusual images in the text are dramatically complemented by R. Gregory Christie’s masterful paintings. Afterword.
Gisela Jernigan, Ph.D. - Children's Literature
Inspired by Iroquois tales of the Corn Maiden, the author has created an original pourquoi story about Maize and her sisters Red Bean and Pumpkin. Portrayed as young Iroquois women—in evocative, expressionistic gouache acrylic and tempera paintings—the three sisters live an idyllic life until Maize is tempted to wander off and falls in love with lonely Silver. When Maize remains in Silver's cave, her mother, the Sun, becomes angry and sad and declares that neither she nor her other daughters will touch the earth until Maize returns. Rather like the Greek story of Demeter and Persephone, winter falls and there is much suffering until the peewee birds convince the bare trees to "please weep" thus causing Silver to release Maize for six months of the year and causing Sun to touch earth for six months. By the end of the tale the seasons; the relationship of corn, beans and pumpkins; the cry of the peewee birds; the sun's important role; and the rising of sap in trees in early spring are explained in a symbolic way. The colorful text, which incorporates lively dialogue should help make this picture book a good read-aloud choice for a fairly wide audience. The tale could also enliven a science unit on weather or biology, or social studies units on ancient Greece or Native Americans. An author's note explains how this original tale was inspired by Iroquois tales and other folklore. 2005, Clarion/Houghton Mifflin, Ages 5 to 8.
Editorials
Children's Literature
Inspired by Iroquois tales of the Corn Maiden, the author has created an original pourquoi story about Maize and her sisters Red Bean and Pumpkin. Portrayed as young Iroquois women—in evocative, expressionistic gouache acrylic and tempera paintings—the three sisters live an idyllic life until Maize is tempted to wander off and falls in love with lonely Silver. When Maize remains in Silver's cave, her mother, the Sun, becomes angry and sad and declares that neither she nor her other daughters will touch the earth until Maize returns. Rather like the Greek story of Demeter and Persephone, winter falls and there is much suffering until the peewee birds convince the bare trees to "please weep" thus causing Silver to release Maize for six months of the year and causing Sun to touch earth for six months. By the end of the tale the seasons; the relationship of corn, beans and pumpkins; the cry of the peewee birds; the sun's important role; and the rising of sap in trees in early spring are explained in a symbolic way. The colorful text, which incorporates lively dialogue should help make this picture book a good read-aloud choice for a fairly wide audience. The tale could also enliven a science unit on weather or biology, or social studies units on ancient Greece or Native Americans. An author's note explains how this original tale was inspired by Iroquois tales and other folklore. 2005, Clarion/Houghton Mifflin, Ages 5 to 8.—Gisela Jernigan, Ph.D.