Customer Reviews

The Magic Gourd (Aesop Prize (Awards))

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

 

 

Diakite's retelling of this African folktale involving Brother Rabbit, Chameleon, a greedy king, a magic gourd and a magic rock is delightfully and originally illustrated with photographs of intricately painted ceramic bowls, platters and tiles that tell the story in detailed and relevant images. Further decorated at the edges with mud cloth patterns, Diakite has provided two pages of additional notes at the end of the book to help clarify the patterns' meanings as well as to give some background to his home of Mali, West Africa and some language translations.

While written in traditional picture book format, this book is best read to youngsters for both the joy of oral storytelling traditions which are so important to folk tales as well as because of the potential unfamiliarity of some words and the occasional irregularity of traditional English grammar. Besides, they will not be able to keep their eyes from the illustrations long enough to read a whole page! A fun family read.

This tale from Mali teaches that generosity and friendship are more valuable than material wealth.

When Rabbit does a good deed for Chameleon, he is rewarded with a gourd that magically fills up with whatever its owner asks for. Rabbit requests carrots, couscous and other foods. Soon his family has sufficient food to invite friends and neighbors for meals.

Word of the gourd spreads until it reaches the ears of a greedy king, who has his soldiers forcibly take it from Rabbit. The ruler then spends his days commanding the gourd to fill with gold. Rabbit wants his gourd back, but how can he recover it?

In an "Author's Note," Diakite relates that he grew up in an extended family in rural Mali. The tales he heard around the fire at night kindled his imagination during days tending sheep and goats.

The illustrations--reproductions of Diakite's hand-painted ceramic tiles, plates and bowls--are bordered with traditional patterns, each with a specific meaning, used by Mali's Bamana people in creating a unique textile known as mud cloth.

The story, paintings, informational endnotes, even a dust-jacket photo of the author and his two daughters in traditional dress, work together to create a generous cross-cultural gift.

I bought this book at a consignment store and I am here to buy another copy as a gift. This book is a joy to read aloud. It is easy to give the different characters their own "voice" which helps keep little ones involved in the story. I have even taken to calling my son Dogo Zan when he is being sweet. We have had this book for three weeks and I have probably read it 11 times and I am not even close to rolling my eyes when it is selected for bedtime yet. This is HUGE for me. I get bored with children's stories vey easily. Definitely a favorite of everyone in this house.

This is a wonderful story for children, it helps to develop the imagination. Its a fairytale for all!!!
Highly recommended.