The Frog And His Friends Save Humanity/la Rana Y Sus Amigos Salvan a La Humanidad (English and Spanish Edition) - Hardcover

Villasenor, Victor; Ochoa, Edna

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1558854290 ISBN 13: 9781558854291

Publisher: Pinata Books, 2005

Synopsis

A boisterous fable by a modern master of Latino literature describes the animal kingdom's first encounter with humanity.

About this title

About the Author

VICTOR VILLASEÑOR is the author of Mother Fox and Mr. Coyote / Mamá Zorra y don Coyote (Piñata Books, 2004.) He is also the author of numerous acclaimed titles for adults, including Burro Genius: A Memoir (Rayo, 2004); Macho (Arte Público Press, 2003), which was chosen by the New York Public Library for its distinguished list of Books for the Teen Age; Walking Stars (Piñata Books, 2003); Thirteen Senses (Harper-Collins, 2001); Rain of Gold (Arte Público Press, 1991); and the non-fiction Jury: The People vs. Juan Corona (Little, Brown, and Company, 1977). He is also the writer of screenplays, most notably the award-winning The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez.

Reviews

Grade 2-4–Written in the spirit of a creation myth, this story recounts an early time when Mother Nature decides to send the first human infant to join her other creatures on Earth. At first the animals are repulsed and intrigued by the small, skinless, helpless creature–the frog tickles its soft belly, which elicits a loud fart. Through their laughter, the bear, the snake, the turtle, the frog, the armadillo, and the skunk can't help but wonder what purpose this seemingly defenseless creature can possibly serve. Has Mother Nature made a terrible mistake? As the animals discuss and debate the relative merits of eating the new creature versus protecting it, the baby continues to delight with his farts and giggles. Finally, catching sight of a beautiful pair of butterflies, the animals decide that Mother Nature does not make mistakes and that this creature, too, will eventually turn into something useful and beautiful. The text in both languages is a bit too dense for early readers but will lend itself well to group readings and discussion. The dark, swirling illustrations, done in a symbolic, indigenous style, are fascinating if a bit sophisticated.
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PreS-Gr. 3. In the spring of creation, the animals are suddenly confused by the appearance of a new creature. The tiny thing looks useless, though it is certainly cute when it smiles and funny when it farts. After debating whether to eat it, let it die, or help it survive, the animals decide to help it, hoping that it will someday become something useful and beautiful. After all, says the turtle, "Mother Nature does not make mistakes." Villasenor, who recalls being told this creation myth by his father, dedicates this version to the people of Oaxaca, Mexico. Ramirez adds life to the tale with vibrant, stylized illustrations and swirling backgrounds of brilliant colors, which echo pre-Columbian motifs and Mexican folk-art forms. The text is primarily dialogue, and the English and Spanish, which are similarly paced, offer great opportunities for reading alone or dramatizing as a play. Julie Kline
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Pinata Books
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1558854290
• ISBN 13: 9781558854291
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Ramirez Jose
• Number of pages: 32