Mother Scorpion Country (Stories from Central America) [Library Binding]

Harriet Rohmer (Author), Dorminster Newton Wilson (Author), Virginia Stearns (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1987 | Age Level: 8 and up | Series: Stories from Central America

A brave, young Miskitu Indian follows his wife from the land of the living to the spirit world. Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6 This beautiful bilingual (English-Spanish) retelling from native American mythology makes available to children the folklore of the Miskito tribe in Central America. When Naklili's beloved wife, Kati, dies, he cannot bear to let her go. He insists upon being buried with her and accompanying her to the land of death, Mother Scorpion country. But there, while all is beautiful to Kati and the others, Naklili cannot share in the delights because he is still of the living. When Kati receives his promise not to tell anything about Mother Scorpion country until the hour of his death, she helps him to go back to his home. But his refusal to talk about the experience mars his welcome from his family, and in his loneliness he longs to return to Mother Scorpion country. In time Naklili joins Kati again in death. The powerful illustrations in earth tones and deep colors are archetypal images of the indigenous peoples and are appropriate for this myth of life, death, and love. Louise Yarian Zwick, Houston Public Library
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

This unusual, haunting legend comes from the oral tradition of Nicaragua. It is retold in a dual English/Spanish text. "A brave young Miskito Indian, Naklili, accompanies his beloved wife, Kati [who has died], to Mother Scorpion Country-land of the spirits. Mother Scorpion has compassion and allows him to remain. But Naklili belongs to the land of the living; he cannot share Kati's paradise." Kati sees trees filled with bananas and coconuts. To Naklih they are ugly skeletons. And so it is in all of Mother Scorpion Country: Reality appears as two opposing concepts. Naklili is allowed to return to his village by Mother Scorpion. At first he is welcomed, but then the villagers come to fear him; he is made an outcast. Naklili wants to return to Kati. Obeying an earlier command by Mother Scorpion, he touches a poisonous snake whose bite releases him from life. This tale is written in classic, folkloric language. A Spanish-speaking friend found the Spanish version a fine translation and as musical as the English version. Virginia Steams' striking illustrations in deep, rich tones capture the mood of the myth. Adult readers will be fascinated by the story behind the story, an account of which appears at the end of the book. Recommended for school and library bilingual collections. For all ages. -- From Independent Publisher

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Childrens Book Pr (August 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892390328
• ISBN-13: 978-0892390328
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,304,618 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Story of the Miskitos, a Native American Tribe of Nicaragua, August 19, 2005

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Alexandra126 "Alexandra126" (The South) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Mother Scorpion Country (Stories from Central America) (Library Binding)

The images of this story are mythical in nature. The story is about a young man name Naklili who doesn't want to leave his wife, Kati after she dies. She leads him to the mystical Mother Scorpian land, an afterlife paradise but for only one of the visitors. The greens, browns and oranges bring to life the rainforest homeland of the Miskitos.

The only quibble is a slight one: Instead of using Spanish as the 2nd language, why not use the Miskito's own language? I think this would have served a better purpose to trying to keep the authenticity.