
By Robert D. San Souci, Jerry Pinkney (Illustrator)
A vibrant Southern folktale comes to life with unexpected twists.
In a lively Southern folktale, a community faces a mysterious challenge that tests their unity and wit. As colorful characters navigate unexpected twists, secrets unfold, revealing the heart of their culture. Will they overcome the trials that threaten their way of life? Discover a tale rich with tradition and surprise.
The author of such delights as The Christmas Ark and The Enchanted Tapestry joins forces with illustrator Pinkney to resurrect a colorful folktale that captures the unique flavor of the American South. A 1989 Caldecott Honor Book.
5.4
out of 7
“Reading this Creole folk tale is like stepping into another time and place which has been masterfully and magically brought to life through San Souci's descriptive language and Pickney's lavish illustrations. The pencil and watercolor illustrations bring San Souci's imaginative text to life, drawing us into the setting as well as the story. The character's manner of speaking, so different from the way we speak today, perfectly embodies the American south, also contributing to our sense of a very different time and place. The tale features a mother with two daughters, Rose and Blanche. While the mother and sister, Rose, embody laziness and greed, Blanche is patient, hardworking, kind, and courageous. Their interactions result in a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed in which, as readers, we are delighted that sweet Blanche comes out on top.”
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