Kakalambalala: An African Tale - Hardcover

Mogensen, Jan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1566561361 ISBN 13: 9781566561365

Publisher: Crocodile Books, 1993

Synopsis

The starving creatures of the savannah first send the swiftest animal, then the strongest, and finally the most powerful to the mountain to learn the name of great magic tree but they all fail.

About this title

From Booklist:

Ages 6-8. This Danish import, a variation of the tortoise-and-hare fable, is set in Africa. During a drought, the animals gather beneath a certain tree, which, when addressed by its correct name, provides unlimited food. Although the turtle offers to make the trip up the mountain to learn the tree's name from a powerful spirit, the animals jeer at her and send the quick rabbit instead. Upon returning, the rabbit runs smack into a large termite mound and forgets the name. The mighty buffalo and regal lion have identical experiences. Finally, in desperation, the animals allow the turtle to go. She, with determination and insight, skirts the termite mound and returns with the name. The tree gives the animals food to survive, and they mock the turtle no more. Although the plot is predictable and the ending somewhat abrupt, this story can be used alone or in a study of fables. The soft watercolor paintings on every page capture the animal characters aptly and amplify the theme. Deborah Abbott

From Publishers Weekly:

Brought together by a drought, the starving animals of the African plains take shelter under a shadetree which, according to legend, will rain down fruit if it is called by name. But only the mountain spirit knows this powerful word. Three animals--the rabbit, the buffalo and the lion--are sent to the mountains to learn it. After each of these creatures fails at the task, the deliberate tortoise ventures forth and, by dint of his patience, succeeds. The stuffed-toy stiffness and anthropomorphic facial expressions of Morgensen's animal figures diminish rather than enhance her tale. Likewise, a bland palette mutes the African landscape. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Crocodile Books
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 1566561361
• ISBN 13: 9781566561365
• Binding: Hardcover