Moon Rope/Un lazo a la luna [Paperback]

Lois Ehlert (Author), Amy Prince (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2003 | Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Fox wants to go to the moon. Mole does not--at least not until he hears about the huge worms waiting up there for him to eat. So the two of them set off on their adventure, with a little help from a rope of grass and their friends the birds. The bilingual text and bold art showcase Lois Ehlert at her captivating best.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this imaginative take on an ancient Peruvian tale, Fox persuades Mole to climb with him on a grass rope he has braided and--with the birds' help--hitched to the moon. Fox trains his sight upward and is not seen again except by the birds, who claim they can spy him in the moon still. Mole, nervously looking downward, falls; the birds carry him back to earth amid the jeers of the other animals, and to this day he prefers his solitary tunnel. Simple though it is, this retelling emphasizes its timelessness as a story: on one hand there is the insatiable desire to transcend earthly bounds; on the other, the fear of the unknown. Ehlert's characteristic, highly stylized cut-paper figures, in deep, vibrant colors that are used to set off the evanescent silver of the fox, rope and moon, capture the myth's magic and dexterously suggest its pre-Columbian origins. The book's bilingual text provides valuable material for the ever-growing audience for multicultural children's books. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- A retelling of a Peruvian pourquoi story, presented in English and Spanish, that is concise and funny. Mole is a practical fellow who longs only for ``Worms, worms, more worms.'' Fox, however, is a visionary; he wants to go to the moon. He deter: mines his method of access (a grass rope to be hooked around the bow of the crescent), chooses Mole as his companion, and, with the aid of some birds, sets off. He achieves his goal, his friend does not, and bits about the nature of the moon and the mole are explained in the process. Prince's stylish translation really shines. Her fox is so clearly obsessed with his project and so convincing in a used-car-salesman sort of way, that an oral telling cannot help but produce correct, funny inflections. Ehlert's cut-paper illustrations are striking. The bold colors range from earth tones to Day-Glo pinks, purples, and oranges, and her use of silver for Fox and for the moon is masterful. Shapes cut, apparently, by using the lines of rulers and templates as guides produce a remarkable, contemporary rendering of Peruvian folkart. Despite the use of fairly simple lines, the characters have personality and verve. The book's generous size makes this perfect for group sharing. Moon Rope can be used to give non-Spanish speakers an idea of the rhythm and cadence of that language. It is a fine purchase for folktale and picture-book collections as well as for ESL programs. --Ann Welton, Thomas Academy, Kent, WA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper; Bilingual edition (August 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 015201702X
• ISBN-13: 978-0152017026
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 10 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #206,529 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #12 in Books > Children's Books > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Collections
  • #77 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Multilingual > Spanish

More About the Author

LOIS EHLERT has created many picture books, including Leaf Man, Pie in the Sky, In My World, Growing Vegetable Soup, Planting a Rainbow, and the bestselling Waiting for Wings. She lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Moon Rope, February 3, 2001

By 

marie beltran (Rochester, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Moon Rope : A Peruvian Folktale/UN Lazo a LA Luna:Una (Paperback)

Being Peruvian myself, a primary teacher, and knowing many of the legends, this book is a great teaching tool. The illustrations are take from actual textiles from Peru and are just breath taking. The moral of the story is one the children will understand easily. This can be taught in a variety of ways : moon, culture, country study, and more. This is a wonderful book that I strongly recommend.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great kids story, July 28, 2008

By 

Cathy Hosek "SuperMom52" (Alexandria, Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Moon Rope/Un lazo a la luna (Paperback)

We saw this story on Between the Lions and my son kept asking me for it. The illustrations are beautiful and the story even has a mole in it!

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book, November 17, 2011

By 

R. Kirkland "R3K" (R3K) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Moon Rope/Un lazo a la luna (Paperback)

My son loves this book, and I love that it has the entire story in both English and Spanish side by side. Great teaching tool, and lots of fun to read.