Song of the Chirimia: A Guatemalan Folktale/LA Musica De LA Chirimia : Folklore Guatemalteco (English and Spanish Edition)

Volkmer, Jane Anne

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9780876144237: Song of the Chirimia: A Guatemalan Folktale/LA Musica De LA Chirimia : Folklore Guatemalteco (English and Spanish Edition)

ISBN 10: 0876144237 ISBN 13: 9780876144237

Publisher: Carolrhoda Books, 1991

A bilingual retelling of a Guatemalan folktale about a young man who tries to win the hand of a Mayan princess by making his song as sweet as that of the birds.

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From School Library Journal:

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- Clear Sky's daughter, Moonlight, is a joyous child. But one day she falls mysteriously silent. Clear Sky consults his magicians, one of whom tells him that it is time for Moonlight to wed. In a sort of reverse Cinderella routine, Clear Sky sends for all the young men in his kingdom. The only one who appeals is a simply dressed young man named Black Feather whose singing coaxes a smile from Moonlight. But before she will agree to marry him, she sets him a task that, with the aid of the Great Spirit of the Woods, results in the invention of the chirimia, a recorder-like instrument. Volkmer's retelling of this Guatemalan folktale is smooth, readable, and atmospheric. Her artwork is stunning. The characters, drawn from her observation of Mayan carvings, are true to their source--at once iconically blocky and imbued with a sense of graceful movement. The deep arresting colors show up effectively against the solid white or deep blue backgrounds. Schatschneider's Spanish translation is pedantic at times; although somewhat static, it reads acceptably. Along with Manlio Argueta's Magic Dogs of the Volcanoes (Children's Book Pr, 1990), this gives a refreshing look at Central American folklore. As well, again akin to the title mentioned above, it provides a good tool for older ESL students, ready to handle a more complex English vocabulary. --Ann Welton, University Child Development School, Seattle
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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