Customer Reviews

Hummingbird King - Pbk (Legends of the World)

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This is a great book if you teach native american history and culture. Especially if you teach about native american tribes that existed in Mexico and Central America. The book does a great job of portraying Maya life/culture. It tells the story a Mayan prince who receives a visit from a sacred bird when he is born. The sacred bird leaves a feather as a present for this newborn prince. From this day on the prince carries the feather with him for good luck and fortune. The feather protects him of all evil or from being hurt, he is basically invincible. His people love this prince because he protects them. But there is a Mayan warrior who is jealous of the prince. His envy makes him steal this feather from the prince, the prince then dies in a battle. But the Mayan people still believe that this prince protects over them in a mysterious way.

I bought this book for my Guatemalan born son and can't wait until he's old enough to read it to him. The illustrations are quite beautiful. It troubles me a bit that the story is violent with the evil uncle plotting against his nephew - but at the same time it's the same plot as the Lion King, only with a different ending. Nevertheless I would say this is a story for five-year olds and above.

This legend is a great way to start talking to students about the Mayan people of long ago. The illustrations are bright and interesting. The pictures could start a discussion! The message about a jealous uncle and a kings passing could be compared to the Lion King if you are comparing legends.