Dragonfly's Tale [Hardcover]

Kristina Rodanas (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

After a poor harvest, two children regain the Corn Maidens' blessings for their people with the aid of a cornstalk toy, the dragonfly.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Based on Zuni tribal lore, this picture book blends creation myth with a timeless (and timely) message about conservation. The village of Hawikuh has been blessed by the Corn Maiden spirits and enjoys perennially bountiful harvests. To show off their wealth the village's head chief and elders plan what amounts to a huge food fight--much to the Corn Maidens' disgust. In retribution the spirits send famine to Hawikuh, which drives away everyone except an abandoned boy and girl. The boy fashions a butterfly-like creature out of a corn husk, and the magical insect comes to life to win the Corn Maidens' favor and return good fortune to the village. "To this day, in early summer--when the corn is beginning to bloom--the dragonfly appears." Rodanas's telling deftly mixes mysticism and moral, imparting a valuable lesson about respect for the environment. Her paintings feature the honeyed hues of corn and clay, often splashed with brilliant red. Zuni pottery and native dress figure prominently in several scenes against a rich background of sweeping New Mexico landscape. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Rodanas (The Story of Wali Dad, 1988) retells an ancient Zuni tale, scrupulously noting her source as an 1884 transcription that she has ``simplified...[adding] some details of my own [in] the way of storytellers.'' The result is a blend of cautionary tale and why story: Celebrating an abundant harvest, the Ashiwi stage a mock battle--literally, a food fight- -that angers the Corn Maidens; they refuse their blessings, and famine follows. Most of the people flee, but two forgotten children fashion a lovely winged creature (the first dragonfly) from a withered cornstalk. It flies to the Corn Maidens, who restore their bounty; the other villagers return, both wiser and kinder. Rodanas's narration is clear and straightforward; her skillfully composed paintings, attractively showcased in the book's large format, are realistic and carefully researched, including many authentic details (such as architecture and pottery designs) and evoking the Southwest in broad sweeps of beautifully observed earth and sky. A fine addition to Native American folklore collections. (Folklore/Picture book. 4-10) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books; 1St Edition edition (March 23, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395570034
• ISBN-13: 978-0395570036
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,669,583 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful!, July 27, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Dragonfly's Tale (Hardcover)

A wonderful tale of how the wastefullness of a village became their downfall and why it is important to respect nature and her bounty. Very beautifully illustrated.....a favorite at our house

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Does not accurately reflect Zuni, November 16, 2005

By 

Debbie Reese (Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dragonfly's Tale (Paperback)

Rodanas story may have appeal, but analysis of her retelling reveals many errors and over-simplification of a story that has great meaning to the Zuni people.

5.0 out of 5 stars A well told child's version of a Zuni myth, November 17, 2004

By 

bernie "xyzzy" (Arlington, Texas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dragonfly's Tale (Paperback)

This story is based on an ancient Zuni myth that was first translated in 1884 by Frank Hamilton Cushing. As with many complex tails this needed to be simplified in a context and with pictures for children could understand and appreciate. Kristina Rodanas did an excellent adjustment to the story adding some of her own slant on the tale, and beautiful color drawings. The drawings were accurate in depiction the pre Zuni environment. This is geared towards children Ages 5-8.

A people know as the Ashiwi were blessed with a bounty of food. They decided to show off to their neighbors and devised a food fight to show that they had more than enough to waist. The corn maidens responsible for this surplus were snubbed during a visit. They decided the people were not worthy of such gifts and removed them. Only two children, brother and sister devised a way to make amends with the corn maidens.

When the child reaches 10 and up it is time to open the Tony Hillerman version which is a bit more complex and much clearer morals more of a bible story. The title "The Boy Who Made Dragon Fly"

The Boy Who Made Dragonfly: A Zuni Myth