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13th out of 71 books
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The Legend of the Bluebonnet: An Old Tale of Texas
This favorite legend, based on Comanche lore, tells the story of how the bluebonnet, the state flower of Texas, came to be. A "Reading Rainbow" Review Title, an American Bookseller #1 Pick of the List Book, Booklist Children's Editors' Choice, NCSS Notable Children's Trade Book. Full color.
Paperback, 30 pages
Published
April 16th 1996
by Paperstar Book
(first published March 25th 1983)
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My daughter asked me for "a book about Indians" when we were at the library, and so I picked up this Native American legend of the origin of bluebonnets, a legend about the temptation to cling to material things. I was pleasantly surprised and impressed by the formal, rhymed, metrical telling of the story and by its positive spiritual message, which I admittedly had to somewhat re-explain to my daughter in terms of our own Christian tradition: "where your treasure is, there will y...more
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There was a time when I had an intense interest in all things Native American and, in response, I think my parents bought this book for me. To date, I've probably read it about 100 times. The writing is simple bordering austere yet ultimately uplifting. The illustrations are lovely to look at and a true representation of De Paola's illustration style. She-Who-Is-Alone is one of my favorite literary heroines of all time. Her selflessness always makes me cry, which can be problematic when reading ...more
A. The Legend of the Bluebonnet
• The overriding theme is the value of self-sacrifice for the greater good of the whole.
• The theme evolves naturally from the plot— the tribe is experiencing starvation due to a drought -- the shaman shares the solution to their problem – She-Who-Is-Alone realizes her sacrifice would be the greatest and mean the most – the theme builds to a crescendo when she throws her warrior doll, most valued possession, into the fire – in the morning the Great Spi...more
• The overriding theme is the value of self-sacrifice for the greater good of the whole.
• The theme evolves naturally from the plot— the tribe is experiencing starvation due to a drought -- the shaman shares the solution to their problem – She-Who-Is-Alone realizes her sacrifice would be the greatest and mean the most – the theme builds to a crescendo when she throws her warrior doll, most valued possession, into the fire – in the morning the Great Spi...more
The Legend of the Bluebonnet is a stirring, uniquely powerful look at an old Native American legend about a young girl who is willing to give up her most cherished possession to save her people from the drought and famine that threaten to wipe them entirely off the map.
The Comanche tribe's shaman returns from a consultation with the Great Spirits to convey an urgent message to all members of the tribe: The land's lack of productivity is a direct result of the people's continually ...more
The Comanche tribe's shaman returns from a consultation with the Great Spirits to convey an urgent message to all members of the tribe: The land's lack of productivity is a direct result of the people's continually ...more
The Legend of the Bluebonnet written and illustrated by Tomie DePaola
Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons
1983
Legend: Picture Book
Ages 6 to 10
This picture book retells the legend of how bluebonnet flowers came to Texas. The story centers around She-Who-Is-Alone, her Comanche tribe and their Shaman. It is set in a time before settlers came to Native American land in Texas. There has been a great drought and the tribe is asking the Great Spirits for rain. When the...more
Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons
1983
Legend: Picture Book
Ages 6 to 10
This picture book retells the legend of how bluebonnet flowers came to Texas. The story centers around She-Who-Is-Alone, her Comanche tribe and their Shaman. It is set in a time before settlers came to Native American land in Texas. There has been a great drought and the tribe is asking the Great Spirits for rain. When the...more
This is the Native legend of the origin of the state flower of Texas, the bluebonnet, and what it represents for the Comanche people. In a time of drought and famine, the tribal elder declares that a sacrifice to the Great Spirits will bring rain and revitalize their crops. Within the tribe is an orphaned girl named She-Who-is-Alone, who takes it upon herself to make a sacrifice that will save her people and sow the seeds of the bluebonnet.
Far more than a Native legend made accessibl...more
Far more than a Native legend made accessibl...more
This story tells the legend of how the bluebonnet flower came to be in Texas, however, it also tells much more than that. This story is also one of great sacrifice. The little girl had nothing, she had lost all her family to the famine, yet she was willing to sacrifice the one thing she had left of them all to save the People. Not many people would make such a sacrifice. I think this story produces a sense of selflessness, a quality that I believe all people should strive to have. In today's soc...more
It is always interesting to read stories about different cultures and their legends/stories. In this tale of a tribe's desperation for the Gods to bring rain, a young girl sacrifices her most prized posession to the Gods to bring rain to the tribe. Her story of sacrifice was very touching. It makes me wonder what my most prized posession is and if I would be able to give it up. However, I did feel like maybe this story was just a tad boring. There wasn't a whole lot of exciting things happening,...more
In the Legend of the Bluebonnet to mentions how this flower came to be. The legend is about a little girl named She-Who-Is-Alone who offers her beloved doll as a sacrifice to the great spirits so the rains can come and end the drought. The Comanches are dying because of the drought and the land can't provide food for the buffalos which is their main source of food for this indian group. The great spirtis mentions to the shaman that the people must offer their most valued possesion and burn them....more
To begin with, Tomie DePaola is one of my favorite authors, so I automatically love this book. But, I have loved this book since I was in elementary school. I love the background information that the story shares with you about the traditions of these Comanche people. It has a wonderful message embedded in the story, that selfless acts are often the most rewarding. This is great for older elementary age children, because the message is really the important part of this book.
Touching tale of faith, love and sacrifice. Beautiful, soft-colored illustrations. The author's explanation of how he came to write the book was very interesting too.
Because school libraries begin removing books once they hit the 11 year mark, this well-worn copy was retired. Fortunately classroom libraries are not under the same rating system so beautiful, uplifting books like this can be kept available for the children (and adults).
Because school libraries begin removing books once they hit the 11 year mark, this well-worn copy was retired. Fortunately classroom libraries are not under the same rating system so beautiful, uplifting books like this can be kept available for the children (and adults).
This is a heart-breaking and heart-lifting story all at once; a heavy story of loss, of hardship, of courage and sacrifice. It is perhaps a story for slightly older children--with whom such hardship(and reality) as famine and death in the family could be discussed openly. It's a small piece of history made alive with the heart-rendering illustrations and words of Tomie DePaola. Another book I recommend.
This book always makes me cry! It is a touching tale of a young girl that makes a much needed sacrifice. When the "spirits" mention that the people have not cared for the Earth it reminded me of our current situation with BP. Overall, it just reminds me that we are never to young to understand the meaning of sacrifices if we see and appreciate what it is that we are sacrificing for.
While I love all of Tomie dePaola's books, this is one of my all-time favorites. Skylar reminded me the other day to pull it out and reread it--something I haven't done in awhile. I used to read it to every one of my religious education classes. It is the story of a little girl who (spoiler alert) gives up her favorite -- and only -- possession to save the life of her people. Because of the importance of her sacrifice, as well as because children can relate to it, I liked to use this story t...more
How is Tomie dePaola so good at every single thing he writes and illustrates? He blows me away. I love how transparent he is about where he learns about new legends -- in this case, a woman contacted him with information and he turned it into a book. Amazing!
Utterly Wonderful!!!! What a fabulous rendition of the legend of how the blue lupine came to be--a truly touching story about one little girl who knew how to sacrifice. Every child should have exposure to this book!!!
This Native American legend is an interesting one, with elements of nature, Native American traditions, and sharing. I enjoyed this story, and the illustrations are really nice.
Level: O
A great folk tale retold and illustrated by Tomie dePaola. There is a famine in the land and She-Who-Is-Alone decides to do something drastic to ask the spirits to stop the famine.
It has his signature illustrations.
A great folk tale retold and illustrated by Tomie dePaola. There is a famine in the land and She-Who-Is-Alone decides to do something drastic to ask the spirits to stop the famine.
It has his signature illustrations.
I love Tomie dePaola artwork. This is a legend retold of a little native American girl who sacrifices a prized possession to help save her people.
caroline bawled when the girl threw her doll in the fire, she does not understand the concept of sacrafice no matter how hard i tried.
These books are great for any age. It can be used in Language Arts for learning about story telling and fables and legends.
I have loved this book since I was a small child. I just reread it, and it is as touching today as it was then.
Had this since I was a very young. Has to be one of my favorite childhood stories.
Tomie dePaola writes beautiful stories and has amazing pictures to go with them.
Beautiful Comanche legend retold and illustrated by Tomie dePaola of Texas' state flower.
Another great dePaola book. The message in this book brings tears to my eyes.
This is a great book to learn about Traditional literature -legend!
loved the book,the girl was so brave! the end made me smile
I just bought this book from DI and I am excited to read it!
Not your "traditional" children's book, but a GREAT story.
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Tomie dePaola (pronounced Tommy da-POW-la) is best known for his books for children.
He's been published for 40 years and has written and/or illustrated over 200 books, including 26 Fairmount Avenue, Strega Nona, and Meet the Barkers.
Tomie dePaola and his work have been recognized with the Caldecott Honor Award, the Newbery Honor Award and the New Hampshire Governor's Arts Award of Livi...more
More about Tomie dePaola...
He's been published for 40 years and has written and/or illustrated over 200 books, including 26 Fairmount Avenue, Strega Nona, and Meet the Barkers.
Tomie dePaola and his work have been recognized with the Caldecott Honor Award, the Newbery Honor Award and the New Hampshire Governor's Arts Award of Livi...more
![Strega Nona: Un Cuento Tradicional Adaptado E Ilustrado Por Tomie de Paola; [Traduccion, Ruth de Prada Casellanos]](http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1175988021m/581409.jpg "Strega Nona: Un Cuento Tradicional Adaptado E Ilustrado Por Tomie de Paola; [Traduccion, Ruth de Prada Casellanos]")
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