On an errand through the woods on fiesta day, Paco gets into real trouble with a scary witch, and a jovial crab has to help him break the witch's spell. By the creators of Juan Bobo and the Pig.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Pitre and Hale, who retold a Puerto Rican tale in Juan Bobo and the Pig, here present another such story sprinkled with Spanish expressions. While hurrying to the bodega on an errand, Paco mistakenly accepts a cool drink from "una viejita, a little old woman." The woman is in fact "una bruja, a witch," and, like Rumplestiltskin's captive, Paco can break the evil spell only by guessing the witch's name. Luckily, a little crab provides the information-her tough-to-say moniker is Casi Lampu'a Lentemue. Pitre effortlessly integrates Spanish and English words, and if readers stumble, a glossary at the beginning defines 45 Spanish terms and supplies pronunciation guides as well. Hale exchanges her Juan Bobo linocut technique for painting, but her distinctive, sultry palette of purples, greens and golden browns is immediately recognizable. Bold compositions suggest the drama of the story, while caricaturish perspectives take some of the fear out of its menacing moments. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 1-3?Pitre retells a Puerto Rican folktale about a young boy trapped by an evil bruja (witch), who casts a spell that can only be broken by his guessing her nombre (name). She puts Paco to work preparing her stew; when he asks what she's going to use for carne (meat), she tells him it is a surprise. At the riverbank, Paco meets un cangrejo (a crab) who teaches him a song to remember el nombre de la bruja?Casi Lampu'a Lentemue. The boy is saved, but the witch goes looking for the animal who betrayed her. And ever since, el cangrejo hides when he sees humans for he is afraid the witch has sent them to beat him for telling her secret. The story is flavored with the tradition and culture of the author's native Puerto Rico. His use of rhyme and song adds humor to the narrative. Hale's illustrations are full of color, relating the ever-changing mood of the story. This folktale was first published in The Tiger and the Rabbit (Lippincott, 1965; o.p.), a collection of stories by Pura Belpre. This unique version of it should make Paco and the Witch a favorite of children and adults for years to come.?Maria Redburn, Collier County Public Library, Immokalee, FL
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Fantastic Folktale,
By A Customer
This review is from: Paco and the Witch (Hardcover)
"Paco and the Witch" is bright and entertaining. The Puerto Rican folktale captures the imagination of children in the same way that "Hansel and Gretel" and "Rumplestiltin" do, but Felix Pitre gives brings out the island's rich personality in the tale along with Christy Hale's bold and energentic pictures. The book is a winner and should be enjoyed by all!
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