Mariana and the Merchild: A Folk Tale from Chile [Hardcover]

Caroline Pitcher (Author), Jackie Morris (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Old Mariana longs for friendship, but she is feared by the village children and fearful of the hungry sea-wolves that hide in the sea-caves near her hut. When one day Marianna finds a Merchild inside a crab shell her whole life changes- but she knows that one day, when the sea is calm again, the Merchilds mother will come to take her back. A memorable story of unconditinal love, this poetic retelling of a traditional South American folk tale beautifully conveys the joy that may come if you open your heart to what you cannot keep.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Pitcher and Morris (previously paired for The Time of the Lion) turn to Chilean folklore for this atmospheric story. After a storm, lonely, old Mariana discovers a baby enclosed in a crab shell that has washed up on the beach. The child is a merbaby, and her mother, a resplendent sea spirit ("...tall as a mast. Her hair flamed red and her skin shone as if polished by the sun with mother-of-pearl"). The mother asks Mariana to keep the child, just until the seas calm. Morris's style evokes both the solidity of indigenous art, with heavy, low-to-the-ground characters, and ethereal, fairy-tale illustration, as in the delicate colorations of the merbaby's red tail. Flowing watercolors picture an ocean both bountiful and violent, and lyrically import Pitcher's imagery of sea-wolves that crest upon turbulent waves. Closely framed compositions allow Mariana to dominate most spreads, subtly conveying her initial loneliness and later suggesting her joy in the red-haired merbaby--and her pain when she must surrender the child. Half-page and three-quarter-page illustrations face occasional textile-like borders, finely wrought spot art and narrow vignettes, creating a visual rhythm that mimics the ebb and flow of the sea. Matched with Pitcher's sparkling descriptions (e.g., Mariana's fire "spangles [the merchild's] tail with pink and vermilion"), the art conjures a folkloric world, where nature is no less mysterious than magic. All ages. (Mar..-- tail with pink and vermilion"), the art conjures a folkloric world, where nature is no less mysterious than magic. All ages. (Mar.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4-Old Mariana lives alone in her ramshackle hut on the beach. During the day, longing for companionship, she tries to befriend the village children who tease her behind her back. At night, she hides in her hut, afraid of the sea-wolves that come out to hunt when storms set in. One morning after a vicious storm, Mariana finds a large crab, which splits in two to reveal a Merbaby. Mariana wants to keep the child, and her wish is granted when the infant's mother, a Sea Spirit, asks the old woman to look after her "until the seas lie calm" and it is safe to take her home. As they watch Mariana and her charge laugh and play, the village children overcome their fears, and when the Merchild finally leaves, they comfort the grieving Mariana. At times the language sounds forced, making the rhythm choppy when read aloud. However, Morris's dramatic paintings, done in reds, blues, and greens, make the story come alive. The subtle details in the borders, the clothing designs, and the household interiors provide a sense of setting and time. The realistic portrayal of the people adds to the tale's magic. While not an essential purchase, libraries looking for Latino folktales or stories about merfolk would do well with this one.
Tali Balas, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (March 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802852041
• ISBN-13: 978-0802852045
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 11 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #374,022 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful for sharing, April 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Mariana and the Merchild: A Folk Tale from Chile (Hardcover)

Invite a little one onto your lap to share the lovely illustrations in this tale from Chile! The paintings are magical and perfectly complement a story that will appeal to young children who enjoy folk and fairy tales.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful story!, April 7, 2007

By 

B. Soriano "Brigid" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mariana and the Merchild: A Folk Tale from Chile (Hardcover)

I bought this book for my three-year-old because her teacher's name is Mariana and hoped the book would be good. It did not disappoint. This is a beautiful and moving story about a lost merbaby bringing new life to a lonely old woman. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. My daughter enjoys this book, but Mama absolutely loves it. I hope that it will become a favorite of my daughter over the years.

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a PRECIOUS book!, April 9, 2009

By 

K. Schneider - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mariana and the Merchild: A Folk Tale from Chile (Hardcover)

We absolutely love this book. I have purchased many copies to give as gifts. The pictures are absolutely extraordinary. I highly recommend this book.