The Great Snake: Stories from the Amazon [Hardcover]

Sean Taylor (Author), Fernando Vilela (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2008 | Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

As the Rio Afuá ferry wends its way along the Amazon, Sean Taylor takes in not only the sights and sounds of this extraordinary landscape but also the stories of the people he meets. From sly jaguars and the slowest of sloths to spine-tingling giant serpents and white-suited strangers, his retellings teem with legendary beings, vivid color, earthy comedy, and the mysteries of the rainforest. Together, with Fernando Vilela’s dramatic, color-saturated illustrations, they reveal the Amazon peoples' beliefs and way of life. Notes and a glossary provide additional information about the region.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3–6—As the author travels up the Amazon River in Brazil, he introduces readers to the people he meets and stories they tell. From an old woman, he hears the story of the jurutaí, a bird that sings a love song to the moon. Others tell of a giant snake that overturns boats in the river, and of the curupira, a creature covered in blood-red hair that protects the rain forest. Three times he is told of dolphins that appear as men dressed in suits and hats: the spread of a fisherman taken to the bottom of the river by such a stranger is particularly chilling. He hears trickster tales of Fox and Jaguar as well as Tortoise and Vulture, and on a very hot day he delights in the story of very slow Three-Toed Sloth. Youngsters will be caught up in this journey, following the river from place to place, meeting kind and welcoming people who share their stories. Woodcuts stamped in black, gold, green, turquoise, and red ink on white or orange backgrounds brilliantly capture the mystery of this unfamiliar world. The author's descriptions of the people who told him these stories and their way of life provide human faces and voices that will enrich any study of the Brazilian rain forest and the Amazon.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN
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Review

This unusual presentation of folktales, both in format and focus, has a "great" title and is dramatically illustrated with handsome woodcuts and rubber-stamping. From a boat traveling up the River Amazon, the reteller sets the scene for each of the nine stories, most of which are pourquoi tales particular to the region. "The Tortoise and the Vulture" relates how the tortoise tricked the vulture, who is still chasing him today; "The Legend of Jurutai" explains how the River Amazon was formed. A trickster jaguar, a slooow-moving sloth, variations of Rapunzel and a male selkie in a snakeskin convey cultural characteristics amid the mysteries of the rainforest. The provenance that Taylor provides from each phase of his boat trip will intrigue storytellers, and the strong voice in the tales begs sharing. Vilela's textured artwork, which evokes the setting beautifully, and the singular focal point make this an atypical collection of special interest to storytellers and folklorists. (glossary, origins of stories, author's note for rainforest support) --Kirkus Review

As the author travels up the Amazon River in Brazil, he introduces readers to the people he meets and stories they tell. From an old woman, he hears the story of the jurutaí, a bird that sings a love song to the moon. Others tell of a giant snake that overturns boats in the river, and of the curupira, a creature covered in blood-red hair that protects the rain forest. Three times he is told of dolphins that appear as men dressed in suits and hats: the spread of a fisherman taken to the bottom of the river by such a stranger is particularly chilling. He hears trickster tales of Fox and Jaguar as well as Tortoise and Vulture, and on a very hot day he delights in the story of very slow Three-Toed Sloth. Youngsters will be caught up in this journey, following the river from place to place, meeting kind and welcoming people who share their stories. Woodcuts stamped in black, gold, green, turquoise, and red ink on white or orange backgrounds brilliantly capture the mystery of this unfamiliar world. The author's descriptions of the people who told him these stories and their way of life provide human faces and voices that will enrich any study of the Brazilian rain forest and the Amazon.-Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN --School Library Journal

These short tales are thoughtful and, at times, humorous. The narrative in between links each one and introduces us to the colourful array of characters also traveling on the boat. Fernando Vilela's woodcuts in vivid oranges, greens and blues feel as if they are almost growing among the words. Sean Taylor's conclusion to this wonderful conclusion to this wonderful book is ultimately one of hope, with a percentage of the royalties going towards the Mamiraua Institute for Sustainable Development. --Carousel

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1845075293
• ISBN-13: 978-1845075293
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,112,985 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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