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The Banza: A Haitian Story
A small goat finds that the banza (little banjo) given to her by a little tiger protects her from harm in an unexpected way.
64 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
About the author
Diane Wolkstein
44 books37 followersDiane Wolkstein was a folklorist and author of children's books. She also served as New York City's official storyteller from 1968–1971.
As New York's official storyteller, Wolkstein visited two of the city's parks each weekday, staging hundreds of one-woman storytelling events. After successfully talking her way into the position, she realized "there was no margin for error," she said in a 1992 interview. "I mean, it was a park. [The children would] just go somewhere else if they didn't like it."
She also had a radio show on WNYC, Stories From Many Lands, from 1968 until 1980, and she helped create the Storytelling Center of New York City.
Wolkstein authored two dozen books, primarily collections of folk tales and legends she gathered during research trips. She made many visits to China, Haiti and Africa.
Wolkstein was born in Newark, New Jersey and grew up in Maplewood, New Jersey. Her father Henry was an accountant and her mother Ruth was a librarian. She received a bachelor's degree from Smith College and a master's degree in education from Bank Street College of Education. While living in Paris, she studied mime under Étienne Decroux.
Wolkstein was in Taiwan to research a book of Chinese folk stories when she underwent emergency surgery for a heart condition. She died in the city of Kaohsiung at the age of 70.
As New York's official storyteller, Wolkstein visited two of the city's parks each weekday, staging hundreds of one-woman storytelling events. After successfully talking her way into the position, she realized "there was no margin for error," she said in a 1992 interview. "I mean, it was a park. [The children would] just go somewhere else if they didn't like it."
She also had a radio show on WNYC, Stories From Many Lands, from 1968 until 1980, and she helped create the Storytelling Center of New York City.
Wolkstein authored two dozen books, primarily collections of folk tales and legends she gathered during research trips. She made many visits to China, Haiti and Africa.
Wolkstein was born in Newark, New Jersey and grew up in Maplewood, New Jersey. Her father Henry was an accountant and her mother Ruth was a librarian. She received a bachelor's degree from Smith College and a master's degree in education from Bank Street College of Education. While living in Paris, she studied mime under Étienne Decroux.
Wolkstein was in Taiwan to research a book of Chinese folk stories when she underwent emergency surgery for a heart condition. She died in the city of Kaohsiung at the age of 70.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 3, 2020
Tigers and goats don't usually become friends, but after Teegra and Cabree find themselves taking shelter in the same cave one dark, stormy night, the two young animals become inseparable for a time. When Teegra is reunited with his family, he gives his friend a parting gift: a banza, or banjo. As Teegra's aunt states, "The banza belongs to the heart, and there is no stronger protection than the heart." Soon enough, Cabree learns the truth of this adage, when she must confront ten hungry tigers by the riverside...
This amusing tale, with its reversal of the usual order of things - the hunters end up terrified, the prey victorious - is an homage to the power of music, and of words. Wolkstein - whose other folkloric retellings include White Wave: A Chinese Tale and Oom Razoom - delivers an engaging narrative; while Marc Brown - best known for his Arthur series - provides expressive illustrations that perfectly capture the emotions of the tale. Highly recommended to all folklore lovers, particularly those with an interest in Haiti!
This amusing tale, with its reversal of the usual order of things - the hunters end up terrified, the prey victorious - is an homage to the power of music, and of words. Wolkstein - whose other folkloric retellings include White Wave: A Chinese Tale and Oom Razoom - delivers an engaging narrative; while Marc Brown - best known for his Arthur series - provides expressive illustrations that perfectly capture the emotions of the tale. Highly recommended to all folklore lovers, particularly those with an interest in Haiti!
December 20, 2012
In her note, the author tells how she heard this story first hand from a Haitian storyteller in Haiti. And the illustrator, Marc Brown, tells in his note how he crafted his illustrations using elements of Haitian artwork. The elongated snout of the little goat reminded me of the elongated snout of Marc Brown's Arthur. An interesting and heart-warming tale of friendship and courage
April 3, 2025
Not in any of my libraries, but it is archived on openlibrary.org. I'm honestly not too sure I care for it. The goat is clever and brave, but I'm a little uncomfortable with her pretending to be ferocious. And, tigers in Haiti??
November 2, 2018
I enjoyed the message of the book.
December 9, 2011
Someone please put this book back in print! This is a really great Haitian folktale of friendship and bravery against all odds. Perfect for story time; I always get the kids to sing Cabree the goat's ferocious "Ten Fat Tigers" song.
October 5, 2012
This is a great book to read to students when introducing different types of genre. This is a great Haitian folktale story that students would enjoy!
March 31, 2014
A Haitian story of a friendship between a little tiger and a goat which comes about when they are trapped in a cave together overnight to get out of a storm.
April 2, 2015
it was ok
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews