Palampam Day [Library Binding]

David Gershator (Author), Phillis Gershator (Author), Enrique O. Sanchez (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

One day when the coconuts, dogs, frogs, fish, and bananas talk to him, Turo goes to ask wise old Papa Tata Wanga for advice.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3. Turo knows that something is wrong when he climbs a coconut palm and a coconut cries out, "Don't pick me, mon!" He travels around his Caribbean community, trying to find out why all the animals and plants are talking. He can't bear to eat anything that converses with him, and he is getting hungry! Papa Tata Wanga finally has the answer: it is Palampam Day, a time when all of the languages spoken "under the Caribbean sun" find their way into the unlikely mouths of the animals and vegetables. He tells Turo the magic chant that will end the day, and in the morning, everything is back to normal. Words from the many different languages appear in the text and are translated at the end of the book. This silly story moves quickly and rhythmically, and is accompanied by Sanchez's appropriately comic gouache paintings in tropical hues. The unvaried layout, full-page illustration facing text and a spot illustration on white, seems a bit static; but this is a book that will be enjoyed solo or in a group, over and over again.?Nina Lindsay, Vista School, Albany, CA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 3^-7. Turo is just reaching for a nice brown coconut for his breakfast when the coconut says, "Don't pick me, mon."That's just the beginning of the unusual conversations Turo has through the day: a parrot, a dog, a cat, a frog, and even a bowl of bananas each have something to say. Because Turo finds it difficult to eat a food that is talking to him, he goes hungry until he visits wise Papa Tata Wanga, who explains that on Palampam Day "all things find their voice" and teaches Turo the trick to beginning a new, quieter day. The rollicking story plays with the different languages spoken in the West Indies, and children will enjoy reciting the name of each thing Turo encounters. Storytellers may want to try this without the pictures, but the softly colored, gently humorous illustrations add another layer to the Caribbean setting. Susan Dove Lempke

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Library Binding
• Publisher: Cavendish Children's Books (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761450025
• ISBN-13: 978-0761450023
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,056,263 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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