Customer Reviews

Gecko's Complaint: A Balinese Folktale

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this book because of my personal connections to Bali and I wanted something I could read with my young child that would give her some exposure to the culture there. While I LOVE the artwork and think the book is worth getting just for that, I was somewhat annoyed when the lion was portrayed as a king of the jungle. There are no lions in Bali and there never have been lions in Bali. Tigers? Yes (extinct now). I would speculate that perhaps the author was grappling with how to portray a Barong to western readers and I was just disappointed that the cliche lion was chosen and introduced as being part of Bali. It took me out of the context of the setting and as I was looking for a children's book about Bali, that sort of ruined the illusion for me.

Other than that, it's a cute tale and it does present a number of misunderstandings the animals have with each other in such a way that you can see both sides of the issues and point out the different perspectives to your child. I'm a little put off by the lion calling the misunderstandings "complaints" but I can get past that...just can't get past that it's a lion...in Bali.

My 7 and 10 year old loved this book. We thought the jungles of Bali were beautifully illustrated. My sons thought the best picture was of the Rain's face. They also enjoyed the ending when Gecko no longer complained. This folktale is well written and it reinforces the importance of learning to live in peace with one another, to stop complaining, and to be content with what you have. Both children and adults will benefit from this important message.

Set on the beautiful island of Bali, Gecko's Complaint: A Balinese Folktale is an engaging picture book retold by Ann Martin Bowler about a gecko whose sleep is disturbed by hundreds of fireflies. He complains to the kindly lion who rules the jungle, and the lion's efforts to unravel the situation brings to light a host of complaints - can peace ever be restored to the jungle? An enjoyable read enhanced by soft, full-color artwork by I. Gusti Made Sukanada.

I purchased this because the entire family LOVED "Go to Sleep, Gecko!" so much. We were expecting a similar style, but different story.

This is basically the EXACT SAME story, only not done quite as well as Go to Sleep was done.

I still love the moral of this story, but you only need one or the other and Go to Sleep, Gecko is definitely the better choice.

The original art in Gecko's Complaint is delightful and the retold folktale is perfect for preschool through third graders. Every youngster I know could benefit from the lesson in the story. Ann Martin Bowler has created a children's book all primary teachers should add to their library.

Our family loves Ann Martin Bowler's delightful Indonesian tale of animals quick to blame others for their behavior. The gorgeous illustrations by I Gusti Made Sukanada make this retelling a sumptious glimpse of Bali and its enchanting folklore. You'll wish you could scamper up the banyon tree with Gecko and explore the lush jungle by the light of the fireflies.