Two Ways to Count to Ten: A Liberian Folktale
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Overview
The noted actress retells this lively, well-paced and involving version of a Liberian folktale.
A retelling of a traditional Liberian tale in which King Leopard invites all the animals to a spear-throwing contest whose winner will marry his daughter and succeed him as king.
Synopsis
The noted actress retells this lively, well-paced and involving version of a Liberian folktale.
Publishers Weekly
The noted actress retells this lively, well-paced and involving version of a Liberian folktale. The Leopard, who is king of all the animals, realizes that it is time both to designate a successor and award his daughter's hand in marriage, and so he devises a test: ``He who would be our prince must . . . throw the spear toward the sky. He must send it so high that he can count to ten before it comes down again.'' The animals clamor to test their skills. The elephant, the bush ox, the chimpanzee, the lion all in turn declare: ``I will be king. I can do this thing!'' And all, in turn, fail. Then the slender antelope presents himself and declares ``I can do this thing!'' And ``Two! Four! Six! Eight! Ten!'' the clever antelope wins the testthe king did not say how the count was to be made. Meddaugh's color-pencil and watercolor paintings suit the text well; they lend extra dimension to the animals' characterizations as the story unfolds. Readers and listeners of all ages will find this an irresistibly satisfying tale. Ages 6-10. (May)
Editorials
From the Publisher
"King Leopard is wise enough to plan for a successor: 'I must seek out the cleverest beast in our jungle. I must find one who is wise enough to rule well.' He plans a contest; the winner is to be named a prince and marry his daughter. Contestants must throw Leopard's spear up in the air and count to ten before it comes to earth again...The story is a strong one and will be an effective read-aloud."--Booklist
"The noted actress retells this lively, well-paced, and involving version of a Liberian folktale. Meddaugh's color-pencil and water-color paintings suit the text well. Readers and listeners of all ages will find this an irresistibly satisfying tale."--Publishers Weekly
"A clever tale about the jungle beasts learning to count, showing once again that being strong is not the same as being smart."--The New York Times