La mujer que brillaba aún más que el sol / The Woman Who Outshone the Sun [Paperback]

Martinez (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 30, 1997 | Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

Retells the Zapotec legend of Lucia Zenteno, a beautiful woman with magical powers who is exiled from a mountain village and takes its water away in punishment.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

More beautiful than the sun, loved by the whole of nature, purveyor of quiet goodwill, Lucia Zenteno is a part of the story-telling tradition of Mexico's Zapotec Indians. In this English-Spanish retelling, Lucia's fate at the hands of unkind strangers is captured in artwork glowing with color and vitality. When the dazzling girl arrives in a village, it is no surprise that the river falls in love with her, rising "from its bed . . . to flow through her shining black hair." The villagers are less welcoming, however, and only on discovering the loss of their glorious river do they repent of their cruelty toward the mysterious Lucia. While the plot is somewhat limited and moralistic (the Golden Rule is heavily applied) and the writing occasionally plodding, much of the imagery is refreshing--"she combed out the fishes, she combed out the otters." Surreal illustrations, calling to mind a stylistic mixture of William Joyce and Karen Barbour, highlight the richness of the folktale convention and perfectly capture a sense of place. Ages 7-up.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- Lucia Zenteno is a mythic character, a woman of great beauty who is perfectly in tune with nature. She is indeed larger than life, and though beloved by the creatures of the countryside, she becomes the target of human hatred and fear and is driven out of her village because she is different. It is only as nature mourns and the river leaves with her that the people realize that theyneed her. This original Hispanic folktale is skillfully told, and is solid and colorfully steeped with imagery of the earth and sky. Both the Spanish and English read gracefully, and the poetic use of language suits the story well for telling. The illustrations have a sense of volume that is reminiscent of Orozco, and the bright colors communicate equally well the heat of the drying land and the coolness of the returning river. An excellent discussion starter, dealing as it does with issues of the differences between people and respect for nature, the book has a natural place in multicultural and environmental units. Pair it with Carmen Lomas Garza's Family Pictures/Cuadros de Familia (Children's Book Pr., 1990) to look at the cultural and artistic aspects or with books such as Jean George's One Day in the Tropical Rain Forest (HarperCollins, 1990) to emphasize our responsibility for our earth. --Ann Welton, Thomas Academy, Kent, WA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Children's Book Press (May 30, 1997)
• Language: Spanish
• ISBN-10: 089239126X
• ISBN-13: 978-0892391264
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 8.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #81,628 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Libros en español > Infantil y juvenil > Literatura > Cuentos de Hadas, Cuentos Tradicionales y Mitos
  • #6 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Explore the World > Mexico
  • #15 in Books > Libros en español > Infantil y juvenil > Asuntos

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars beautiful story with strong female protagonist, September 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: La mujer que brillaba aún más que el sol / The Woman Who Outshone the Sun (Paperback)

Unlike the usual simpering heroine, Lucia is strong, mysterious, natural, and good. Children who are different from others--foreign, language difficulty, intelligence higher or lower--will appreciate how this stranger bounced back from hurt.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Book, August 25, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: La mujer que brillaba aún más que el sol / The Woman Who Outshone the Sun (Paperback)

This is a powerful and beautiful retelling of this story. This book is written in Spanish and in English and anyone interested in Latino storytelling will buy this book for their collection. I also highly recommend DRUM, CHAVI, DRUM! by Cuban author, Mayra L. Dole, and TRINOS CHOICE, by Chicana author Diane Bertrand.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful tale of forgiveness and respect, June 15, 2000

By 

M. Pedroza - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: La mujer que brillaba aún más que el sol / The Woman Outshone the Sun (Hardcover)

This retelling of the Legend of Lucia Zenteno is beautifully illustrated with vibrant colors and imagination. The text is given in English and Spanish. It is the story of Lucia who has the most beautiful long hair. It is so beautiful that the river that runs throught the town falls in love with her, and when the people of the town, because of their fear, drive her away, the river and all its inhabitants leave with her. The town has to learn humility and they try to get her to return. A wonderful book with a strong female hero.