Traveling to Tondo [Hardcover]

Verna Aardema (Author)

Book Description

On his way to his wedding, with his friends as attendants, a civet cat meets with extraordinary and unexpected delays.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"One day in the town of Tondo, Bowane the civet cat met a beautiful feline he wanted for a wife." After returning home to collect the necessary goods, Bowane sets out for Tondo to claim his bride. He asks three friends--pigeon, python and turtle--to accompany him, little dreaming of the delays that will ensue as first one, then another, asks the rest to wait. As considerable time passes in this fashion, the reader gleefully sees what Bowane cannot: that by the time they get to Tondo, it may well be too late. This is vintage Aardema--a spirited, evocative retelling of an African tale in which animals illustrate--and exaggerate--some of our most human foibles. The text begs to be read aloud, in part because of the unforced inclusion of African words that heighten the tale's rhythm and mood. Using muted, earthy tones, Hillenbrand gives a fine sense of the lush jungle and grassy savannah, though his focus never wavers from the four friends and their foolishness. Ages 5-9.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4-- Not since the Three Sillies has there been a more foolish group of misfits--an unlikely quartet of a groom-to-be civet cat and his friends: a pigeon, a python, and a turtle. Bowane, the cat, has asked for the hand of a beautiful feline and is returning to his future wife's village with a basket of copper and trinkets. On the way, he invites one dear friend after another to accompany him. But one delay after another stalls the wedding party--for years--and when the entourage finally reaches Tondo, they are not welcome. The bride-to-be has married another and has a family, and Bowane is run off in disgrace. This satisfying tale owes its success to a clean, straightforward telling and beautiful illustrations in blues, browns, greens, and gold. Small black decorations under the text show the silly travellers in silhouette as they march along. This is the kind of story children love, and they're sure to cluck their tongues as they sit in awe of someone else's stupidity. Told with a steady rhythm that's perfect for reading aloud, this is a traveling tale for all collections. --Denia Lewis Hester, Dewey School, Evanston, IL
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (January 16, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679900810
• ISBN-13: 978-0679900818
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 9.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,798,352 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #68 in Books > Travel > Africa > Democratic Republic of Congo

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars it has great versatility! great for dramatic presentation., November 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Traveling to Tondo: A Tale of the Nkundo of Zaire (Dragonfly Paperback) (Paperback)

I loved the book because of how creative one can become with it. I am going to read it to my son's 2nd grade class and have them participate to bring the animals to life.

4.0 out of 5 stars Ika-o, Bwa-wa, Swe-o, Ta-ka, March 26, 2006

By 

Lightman (New York) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Traveling to Tondo: A Tale of the Nkundo of Zaire (Dragonfly Paperback) (Paperback)

These are the oft repeated, rhythmic sounds of Bowane walking, Embenga flapping, Nguma slithering, and Ulu waddling - the four of them traveling to Tondo.

So what's going on here?

This is how it all starts: "One day in the town of Tondo, Bowane the civet cat met a beautiful feline he wanted for a wife. The cat was willing. And her father agreed to the marriage and set a certain bride price".

In our current climate of political correctness this may set some sensitive readers back on their heels just a bit. But come on now - the cultural context ought to count for something. After all, this is an authentic retelling of a tale of the Nkundo people of Zaire.

Anyway, getting back to the story, Bowane rounds up his friends Embenga, Nguma, and Ulu (a pigeon, python, and tortoise, respectively) and off they go to Tondo where the wedding will be held. Along the way each member of our little band of celebrants encounters temptation, distraction, or challenge, and in response, loyal to one another, the group makes a series of easy going but unwise choices that ultimately compromise the fulfillment of their mission.

Children (and their parents) will enjoy the story line and will delight in the use of Nkundu words and sounds (a helpful Glossary and Guide to Pronunciation is included). But it is Will Hillenbrand's illustrations that really make the book. Stylistically sophisticated, combining elements reminiscent of both Rousseau and Klee, they make the reading of Traveling to Tondo a memorable experience for children and adults alike.

And so - four stars; one for each of the well intentioned but unfocused companions.