Nine-in-One, Grr! Grr! [Paperback]

Spagnoli (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

When the great god Shao promises Tiger nine cubs each year, Bird comes up with a clever trick to prevent the land from being overrun with tigers.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When Tiger inquires of the great god Shao how many cubs she will have, she is admonished that only if she remembers his reply--nine cubs each year--will it hold true. "Nine-in-one, Grr! Grr!" she sings as she heads home. The clever Eu bird wishes a more favorable tiger-to-bird ratio and so tricks Tiger into singing, instead, "One-in-nine, Grr! Grr!"--and that is why the earth is not overrun with tigers today. This imaginative folktale provides a rare window into the lore of the Hmong people of Laos, yet is anything but parochial or arcane in its appeal. It embraces a range of universal qualities, from loneliness to joyful anticipation to deviousness and guile, and portrays its characters with sympathy and wit. Hom's strikingly colorful paintings, modeled on the appliqued "story cloths" of the Hmong, ably capture a sense of character and landscape and extend the fable's whimsy and good humor. Ages 4-10.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreKindergarten-Grade 6-- Xiong and Spagnoli recount this Hmong folktale with compelling directness. In the beginning of the world, a lonely tiger journeys to the great god Shao to find out if she will have cubs. Shao replies that she will have nine cubs a year-- if she can remember his words. As she has a poor memory, the tiger creates a mnemonic chant to recite for the journey home, "Nine-in-one Grr! Grr!" The Eu (black) bird overhears her and asks Shao to change what he said, for "If Tiger has nine cubs each year, they will eat all of us. Soon there will be nothing but tigers in the land." But this cannot be done, so the bird flies back to the tiger, distracts her, and substitutes his own "one-in-nine," meaning one cub born in nine years, thereby altering the course of natural history and saving the rest of creation. At once realistic, fanciful, and clever, this tale compares favorably with the "Raven the Trickster" and "Just So" stories. Illustrations are innovative, yet faithful to Hmong culture. Long noted for brilliant embroidery, the Hmong's vicissitudes in and after the Vietnam War have inspired them to a new form of "narrative stitchery," stories told in needlework. Hom has captured this style to perfection in silkscreen, watercolor, and colored pencil, producing amazingly bright and beautiful pictures of great depth and originality while maintaining ethnic accuracy. Each picture is also framed in intricate borders, adding yet another facet of authenticity. Clearly this is a superior production and an important addition to folk literature for children. Unlike other books from Children's Book Press, the original language of the tale is not included, but this is a small quibble in the face of so magnificent an achievement.
- John Philbrook, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Children's Book Press (June 4, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892391103
• ISBN-13: 978-0892391103
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 8.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,438,768 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #92 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Animals > Lions, Tigers & Leopards > Fiction

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Animal tale from the Hmong people, May 22, 2002

By 

M. J. Smith (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nine-in-One, Grr! Grr! (Paperback)

The illustrations in this book are especially apt being draaawn from the embroidery style associated with the Hmong. The tale is a simple tale of a tiger told she would have nine cubs in one year being tricked by a bird into one cub in nine years. The "exotic" animals appeal to children while the story is humorous without any cultural barriers.

This is an excellent choice for animal stories outside the traditional European culture.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Delighted!, September 12, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Nine-in-One, Grr! Grr! (Paperback)

Originally, I had read this story with my 8 year old daughter for homework and 2 year old son loved it! There is nothing more pleasing then reading to a child who enjoys to listen. The book itself is VERY good and it keeps the kids attention. It has become our favorite "family" book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Cute and Very Funny Hmong Folk Tale, December 26, 2007

By 

Lynn Ellingwood "The ESOL Teacher" (Webster, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nine-In-One Grr! Grr! (Paperback)

This is a very cute and funny folk tale from the Hmong about the tiger. It is very cute and I loved the ending. I don't want to overstate the tale but it is sweet and I was surprised by the ending or the explanation for the tiger.
This book came signed by the illustrator Nancy Hom too. That is a nice plus for a very sweet book. I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Thailand and speak Thai and Lao (though not as well as I used to) and that gives me a connection to Southeast Asia and the Hmong. The Hmong themselves are a wonderful people and they are very assertive of their heritage. They will speak Lao with me but remind me very firmly that they are Hmong, not Lao! I respect that. The Hmong of Southeast Asia are quite artistic and their handiworks are available in craft stores around the US.