Customer Reviews

The Legend of the Bluebonnet

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After bravely sacrificing her most valued possession to end her tribe's suffering, a young girl awakens to find a reward of her selflessness--thick clusters of vivid blue flowers spread all over the Texas hills. In dePaola's The Legend of the Bluebonnet, an unseasonably long drought orphaned the Native American girl, leaving her with only memories and a warrior doll. Yet, when the Great Spirits request a sacrifice to restore life to Earth, She-Who-Is-Alone courageously volunteers her doll as the burnt offering and scatters its ashes to the wind. This wonderful tale of Comanche folklore explains the origin of the bluebonnet, the Texas state flower, while paying homage to the Comanche value and respect for family, community, and Earth. DePaola's powerful retelling and majestic full-page paintings compliment each other, capturing the traditions of Comanche people and Texas landscape. Realistic and engaging use of language, singing "Great Spirits, the land is dying. Tell us what we have done to anger you" maintains the flavor of oral tradition. The writing attends to cultural songs, dances, and prayers; while the illustrations depict cultural dress and lifestyle. In his thorough source note, dePaola mentions his tireless research in an effort to accurately portray the Comanche customs and base the legend on the original Indians. The Legend of the Bluebonnet appeals to children of younger ages with its simple language and graphic pictures; its pourquoi nature satisfies even adult readers.

Every spring, throughout central Texas where I live, we are blessed with one of mother nature's great floral displays--Texas Wildflower Season. For three to four weeks in April and May the countryside--as far as one can see in all directions--is a rainbow of color as billions of wild flows bloom. Chief among these are the Bluebonnets, the Sate Flower of Texas.

The Legend of the Bluebonnet is the retelling of the old Indian legend of how this event came to occur. It relates the story of She-Who-is-Alone, an orphaned Indian girl being raised by her tribe during a time of extreme drought and famine. This young girl is the sole remaining member of her family--the others have all died in the famine.

The tribe calls upon the Shaman to commune with the Great Spirits to divine what it is the People must do to regain harmony with nature. The Shaman states that a "great sacrifice" needs to be made. How She-Who-is-Alone acts upon that message is how the Bluebonnets come to be ion Texas.

This is a very sad and hear-rending story in large part, though it is also incredibly heartwarming and inspiring as well.

This has always been one of my kid's favorite books--my wife's and mine as well. However, it is probably a book best left to a bit older child--say 8 and above. Once you start reading it though, you will never stop. You will read it many time to your children--and your grandchildren.

This book is a treasure.

First, let me say that I love Tommie dePaola's books. He is a tremendously talented artist and this is, like all of his books, a beautifully told and illustrated story.

However, we received this book as a gift for our two-year-old. Drawn to the illustrations, she wanted me to read it to her immediately. Big mistake. I ended up with a frightened, confused child (and a book that is now on the top shelf of her closet). She-Who-Is-Alone is, after all, alone. She is surrounded by adults who don't seem to care about her and, at the end, sacrifices the last tangible memory of her family. As an adult, this is a touching and inspiring story (it's hard to read without crying). But for a small child, it's a representation of their worst nightmares with an ending that, for modern children, does not allay their fears.

By all means, buy this book, for yourself or an older child (like 8 or 9). It is not an appropriate gift for the younger set, though.

Tomie De Paola's version of "The Legend of the Bluebonnet" is a wonderful tale of sacrifice, and homage to the importance of family and community. The young Native American girl has been orphaned due to a terrible drought, and lives alone. Yet, she is willing to give up the only thread of the connection to her past. She sacrifices her prized possesion, her doll by placing it upon the sacrifical fires of her tribe. The sacrifice is rewarded by the gods with rains to end the drought which claimed her family. There is yet another gift from the gods for the girl's unselfish act. Beautiful bluebonnets now grow in the wilds commemorating the child's gift to the gods on the behalf of her people. The artful depiction of the drought, and the renewal of the earth when the rains come tell the tale of the desperation, and the hope in "The Legend of Bluebonnet". This selection pairs nicely with Barbara Cooney's "Miss Rhumphius" for classroom literature comparisons. This is a must for the elementray library. A fine example of integrated science literature.

Our family loves Tomie dePaola books, and this is one of his most beautiful. While I agree with one reviewer that it's not appropriate for two year olds, it really was fine for my 4 year old. As that same reviewer writes, the book's heroine, a child, sacrifices the last tangible memory of her family. However, this is shown as an heroic act of unselfish love--and her reward is that from that day on, the land is filled with tangible memories of her family's love in the form of the Bluebonnet flowers.

My four year old asked many questions as I read the story, and my answers--and of course the story itself--showed him how even a child can be heroic--and that heroism does not need to involve swords and muscle--it can simply take the form of an unselfish act.

This was my favorite story when I was a child. I love how it tells of a young girl who chooses to give up something she loves for her family and people... I read this book whenever I could in school. Now that I teach pre school I get to share the beauty of this story with my class and they love it too...In Texas you see them everywhere in late March to early May. I use to think it was funny but now I have to wonder why, when you see a bluebonnet an Indian paintbrush isn't that far away?

Loved this book growing up, and still love it now. A great book to somehow tie into native Americn History if teaching. Also if teaching values a great book to tie in!

This book was a favorite of my older daughter and unavailable at our local library. I had to have it for my younger daughter. It was as I remember, and softcover made it more affordable. We live in Texas and it's almost time for the bluebonnets to sprout!

This is a delightful read for grandparents to share with their grandchildren. I purchased the book for my new great-grandson's future. I am building a library just for him so he will know the love of reading and critical thinking. This is also a fast read for little ones with short attention spans with charming pictures.

I have a fondness for old folk tales as it coincides with my love of history. By looking closely at the old stories of a culture, you can learn many things about how they looked at and interacted with the world around them.
This book contains an old story from the Comanche people of Texas and is a fable of the origin of the Bluebonnet prairie flower. Like so many other fables, it begins with difficulties, the spirits are displeased and there is a severe drought upon the land. When the shaman comes back from hearing the words of the spirits he tells the people that they have been taking too much and it is time that they give something back. However, with one exception, all the people rationalize that the beloved object that must be sacrificed cannot be what they own. A little girl that has lost everything except for her doll sacrifices it and saves her people.
Good stories are timeless, even as they age and their original context had passed away. This is a story in that class, it gives you significant insight into the world of the Comanche tribe and now Native Americans viewed the world.