When Animals Were People: Cuando Los Animales Fueron Gente
a Huichol Story Retold for Children (English and Spanish Edition) [Hardcover]

Bonnie Larson (Author), Modesto Rivera Lemus (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

This text is in Spanish & English. This book takes children into a magical time and place in Huichol Indian folklore where newly-created beings were evolving into the creatures they were meant to be and finding the habitats they were meant to enjoy. According to tradition, these early ancestors of today's forest-dwellers had human characteristics, physical as well as emotional; hence they were sometimes referred to as animal people. This concept of animal people is very appealing to children as well as easily and intuitively understood by them. This delightful folktale shows how Turtle Person learned to be patient; how Squirrel Person learned to find safety in high places; and, how Wolf Person learned not allow greed to block his common sense - all important survival skills for each of these animals today. While enjoying an animal tale filled with bits of wisdom and humour, children will be able to learn some lessons about the interdependence of all living things and the natural environment. The brilliantly-coloured illustrations are from Indigenous yarn paintings called cuadros, created by applying beeswax and pine pitch to a board then carefully applying the yarn. The artist, Modesto Rivera Lemos, created the yarn paintings specifically to illustrate this story. Each page is written in both English and Spanish, giving children the ability to read in either language, or both, providing another learning opportunity. Children will also absorb some of the Huichol cultural and spiritual heritage from this traditional folktale. Adults as well will enjoy the astonishing beauty of the illustrations and the simple yet profound truths reflected in "When Animals Were People".

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Clear Light Books; 1st edition (April 2002)
• Language: English, Spanish
• ISBN-10: 1574160516
• ISBN-13: 978-1574160512
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #342,893 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #45 in Books > Libros en español > Infantil y juvenil > Literatura > Cuentos de Hadas, Cuentos Tradicionales y Mitos

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing bilingual text, September 20, 2004

By 

Wildscribe (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When Animals Were People: Cuando Los Animales Fueron Gente
a Huichol Story Retold for Children (English and Spanish Edition) (Hardcover)

I was searching for a great story for my kids, but also one that I could read to them in Spanish to improve my skills too. This book is absolutely perfect! Not only is it written in skillful Spanish, but each part of the story has the English version shaing the page! It's like one big (FUN) textbook, and my kids love it too.

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous color illustrations with a fable Aesop would like, January 20, 2012

By 

Shoedog - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: When Animals Were People: Cuando Los Animales Fueron Gente
a Huichol Story Retold for Children (English and Spanish Edition) (Hardcover)

You do have to see this book to appreciate the incredibly vivid illustrations.
And there is a story to hold the attention of little ones, plus the great gift of having it in English and Spanish!

5.0 out of 5 stars Much better than expected, November 14, 2011

By 

Fat Chants (NYC) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: When Animals Were People: Cuando Los Animales Fueron Gente
a Huichol Story Retold for Children (English and Spanish Edition) (Hardcover)

The stories are great, drawings are strikingly beautiful, and the reproduction and quality is beyond what I expected, really. Everyone who sees it says the same. I'm ordering a few copies to give away as gifts, it's impressive, hi-end stuff.