Erandi's Braids [Paperback]

Tomie dePaola (Author), Antonio Hernandez Madrigal (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

The yellow dress Erandi wants for her birthday will look beautiful with her long, thick braids. But Mama's fishing net is full of holes, and there isn't enough money to buy both a new net and a birthday dress. The only solution lies with the hair buyers from the city. But Mama's hair isn't nearly as beautiful as Erandi's. Will Erandi have to choose between her birthday present and her braids? This touching tale of love and sacrifice is sprinkled throughout with Spanish words and expressions.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Erandi, a Mexican girl, looks forward to her birthday and a forthcoming village fiesta with great anticipationAafter all, she hopes to have a new dress to wear. But Erandi's dreams of pretty things are soon interrupted. Mam 's fishing net, with which she catches their food, is too torn to repair and there is not enough money to buy a new net as well as a dress. Erandi receives her new frock, but afterward, she and Mam head for the barber shop. Erandi is terrified that Mam will sell Erandi's beautiful long braids to the hair buyers from the city, but it is Mam who steps into the chair. When the barber tells Mam that her hair is not long enough, Erandi summons her courage and offers her own tresses, earning enough money for a fishing net and another special birthday present. Madrigal (The Eagle and the Rainbow: Timeless Stories of M?xico) creates a vivid portrait of life in the hilly village of P tzcuaro, Mexico, 50 years ago and sprinkles his text with a few basic Spanish words (huipil, tortillas, hija) easily deciphered by their context (though a glossary is included). DePaola's creamy gouache paintings in muted colors give this story of self-sacrifice and family love a sunny warmth. Such details as traditional Mexican architecture, pottery and clothing further define the time and place. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3?Set in the Mexican village of Patzcuaro, this is the story of a young girl's selflessness and her mother's tenderness. Excited about her birthday, Erandi hopes for a present, but when her mother worries that their fishing net is worn out, the girl fears that they will not be able to afford a gift. The next day, however, the purchase of a yellow dress sets her heart at ease?until her mother takes her to the barber shop where the braids of the local women are cut off and sold to merchants from the city. There, Erandi fears that her mother will sell her braids, but in the end the child makes her own decision. According to an author's note, this story draws on the practice of the Tarascan women of the Michoacan province of selling their hair for use in making false eyelashes, wigs, and fine embroidery during the 1940s and '50s. While the idea of making sacrifices for the people one loves is universal, the context into which the tale is set makes the whole seem a bit labored. Bordering on the didactic, it is saved by dePaola's signature paintings, which use earth tones and blues to bring the village and the characters to life. Perhaps best used as support for social studies units on Latin America, this tale serves to point out the human ties that cross cultural lines.?Ann Welton, Terminal Park Elementary School, Auburn, WA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (March 19, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0698118855
• ISBN-13: 978-0698118850
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.1 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #204,887 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #78 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Literature > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Multicultural

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very heartwarming tale based on real Mexican history., May 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Erandi's Braids (Hardcover)

This is excellent book written by a Mexican imigrant, Madrigal, who conveys the true meaning of selflessness. The illustrations by the reknowm Tommie DePaulo are beaughtiful and remniscent of the style of a master mexican artist. Very highly recommended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A spellbinder, June 12, 2003

By 

Maya (Agoura Hills, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Erandi's Braids (Paperback)

When I read this book to my second grade class, they sit in quiet awe-- barely breathing, it seems. This story grabs kids, keeps them wondering what will happen and ultimately, moves them. This book makes for a memorable read aloud.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful story of a child's strength and generosity, March 16, 2002

By 

"imjoni" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Erandi's Braids (Hardcover)

I spent two hours in a bookstore reading through books to find nice stories for my daughter. I couldn't believe the number of books that were negative, used words I wouldn't want to read to my child, etc. Then I found Erandi's Braids, and I cried when I read it. I bought it immediately, and read it to my daughter. It took several readings before I could get through it without tears... but she just thought I was such a good reader, because the mother in the book cries too! All that said, it is simply a beautiful story about a child's relationship with her mother, her modest pride, and her generosity despite her poor circumstances. It also gives a feeling for another culture with its use (and explanation) of a few words in Spanish. This is our favorite book.