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The Singing Snake
A retelling of the Australian aboriginal tale about a snake that swallows a lark in an effort to win a singing contest
40 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 21, 2023
I'm not sure how to feel about this book. I certainly have a few questions.
I realize this book first appeared some 30 years ago and it was a different world then; I also should state that my knowledge of Aboriginal and European/Colonial Australians as well as ongoing relations is surface level at best. That being said, I'm very disappointed by this book from the impression I'm left with. I find the summary to be a bit indicative of why I feel that way. "Australian Aboriginal tale" is a bit monolithic, this is a group that was made up of different peoples that were distinct from one another. If what I have learned in my quest so far is true, not all Australian Aboriginal peoples even played didgeridoos (although it has evolved and been adopted as a symbol by others since then), so it wouldn't make sense for them to all tell this story. I wanted to know to what people(s), or at least region, the story was attributed. I can't find any, but again I'm outside Australia and don't have a practical means to investigate using local sources. While the art is accessible for children I wonder why they didn't get an Aboriginal Australian to illustrate it. The illustration of Australia on the back leaves Tasmania off; the didgeridoo did not originate there, but to attribute the story to all Australian Aboriginal people without including all the land where these grouped cultures resided would be odd. I remember being told this story when I was a kid in Australia, and decided to see if I could find the story and more information about it. All I was able to find was this book, which upon reading does not satiate my curiosity. It rather leaves me more confused than before and hoping someone will clarify in comments, or with the answer that: this is just not inclusive enough to be brought to the 21st century, let alone 2023.
I realize this book first appeared some 30 years ago and it was a different world then; I also should state that my knowledge of Aboriginal and European/Colonial Australians as well as ongoing relations is surface level at best. That being said, I'm very disappointed by this book from the impression I'm left with. I find the summary to be a bit indicative of why I feel that way. "Australian Aboriginal tale" is a bit monolithic, this is a group that was made up of different peoples that were distinct from one another. If what I have learned in my quest so far is true, not all Australian Aboriginal peoples even played didgeridoos (although it has evolved and been adopted as a symbol by others since then), so it wouldn't make sense for them to all tell this story. I wanted to know to what people(s), or at least region, the story was attributed. I can't find any, but again I'm outside Australia and don't have a practical means to investigate using local sources. While the art is accessible for children I wonder why they didn't get an Aboriginal Australian to illustrate it. The illustration of Australia on the back leaves Tasmania off; the didgeridoo did not originate there, but to attribute the story to all Australian Aboriginal people without including all the land where these grouped cultures resided would be odd. I remember being told this story when I was a kid in Australia, and decided to see if I could find the story and more information about it. All I was able to find was this book, which upon reading does not satiate my curiosity. It rather leaves me more confused than before and hoping someone will clarify in comments, or with the answer that: this is just not inclusive enough to be brought to the 21st century, let alone 2023.
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March 5, 2010This book is an Australian Folktale and the artwork definately does a good job at depicting the cultural difference and the historical tradition of the story. Every page is bordered with a colorful pattern with the corners red and the middle of each side of the border is a snake. The pictures themselves look very intricate and laborious because all of the animals and major features of the illustations are filled in with tiny, colorful dots. The dots not only hold visual appeal and interest but i also think they make the story look more like a traditional folktale and emphasize the cultural difference. I initially thought this story was going to have an african background becuae of the bright, vivid colors and patterns but the picture of the kangaroo and osterache on the front cover support the Australian theme. The tiny dots and patterns, and the bright colors make the pictures seem more like artwork that would be hanging in a museum or fancy house but they do correlate with the folktale too. However, i was not able to understand the meaning of the artwork without the text of the story.
April 20, 2015
“The Singing Snake” is an award winning Australian Folklore about a snake that swallows a lark (bird) to win a singing contest. He is not happy with his own voice and wants to win the contest. Throughout the story the other animals ask him to sing a song and the lark scratches his throat while he is singing and he coughs her up. He ends up leaving because he is ashamed of his actions. The story teaches the readers that it is not right to cheat to win something and not to be jealous of what others have. The book also explains why the snake “hisses” and the origins of the “Dideridoo”. The “Dideridoo” is an old musical instrument created from a tree limb or trunk. The book is written for four-year olds and up but, I think the story is more complex and would be a great story for first graders and early elementary aged children. Each page in the book is illustrated with traditional artwork inspired by Aboriginal paintings. Also each page is bordered with different patterns. I give this story three stars because it does teach excellent morals and is illustrated with traditional artwork.
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March 14, 2010Snake uses the swallowed Lark’s voice to try to fool the other animals and win a singing contest, but the animals find out that Snake had been tricking them.
I think it’s really important that the art the in book goes along with the tale in traditional stories, and this is a great example of that. I researched the art in the book and found out that it is heavily influenced by the art of Australian aborigines, which makes sense since that the story is an Australian tale. The art is very different than most other traditional stories. One of the most important elements in the artwork is the use of dots, which is very prominent and is included in almost every part of the illustration. It’s really interesting how the dots are used for things from designs to showing texture in the animals. This book would be a great tool for teaching culture since the book and the artwork come from the same area.
I think it’s really important that the art the in book goes along with the tale in traditional stories, and this is a great example of that. I researched the art in the book and found out that it is heavily influenced by the art of Australian aborigines, which makes sense since that the story is an Australian tale. The art is very different than most other traditional stories. One of the most important elements in the artwork is the use of dots, which is very prominent and is included in almost every part of the illustration. It’s really interesting how the dots are used for things from designs to showing texture in the animals. This book would be a great tool for teaching culture since the book and the artwork come from the same area.
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March 17, 2010The old man gets very tired from not getting any sleep because of all the noisy animals around him, he looks all around to find the right animal that will have the perfect singing voice to sing him to sleep.
This book seems to be told from the view from a Native American tribe. Not only from the pictures but because of the way it is worded. THis book could be very helpful in the classroom to make Native american students feel welcomed into a room. Also to have the other children know what a Native American folktalk is like. The pictures of this story have a lot of dots for the coloring. The snakes color is filled in with green and red and on top of all the color is a bunch of yellow dots.I think this is really cool because it is not something an illustrator would usually do.
This book seems to be told from the view from a Native American tribe. Not only from the pictures but because of the way it is worded. THis book could be very helpful in the classroom to make Native american students feel welcomed into a room. Also to have the other children know what a Native American folktalk is like. The pictures of this story have a lot of dots for the coloring. The snakes color is filled in with green and red and on top of all the color is a bunch of yellow dots.I think this is really cool because it is not something an illustrator would usually do.
November 2, 2016
This is a really fun book. It is a retelling of an Australian folktale. This book is about an old Man challenges the animals to enter a singing contest. Snake, knowing that his voice will never win, swallows Lark and tricks her into singing through his mouth. Snake's ruse is discovered when Lark scratches his throat and escapes. This book is suitable for read aloud for the younger grades or read to self for older grader.
January 11, 2009
Old Man holds a singing contest for all the animals on the island, promising to create a musical instrument for the one with the most beautiful song. Snake wants to win, badly.
I liked the story. This Australian pourquoi story explains why snakes hiss and the origins of the didgeridoo
I liked the story. This Australian pourquoi story explains why snakes hiss and the origins of the didgeridoo
April 22, 2010
An Australian folktale where an old man is going to honor a creature with the best voice. Snake wants to win, so he cheats and swallows a bird. Snake is honored the best voice, but not for long. Great book on learning that you should never cheat to win a prize.
February 14, 2015
Love the aboriginal style illustrations.
October 1, 2019
This was a fun read aloud about the origina of the didgeridoo. We read this to complement our history lesson about Pacific Ocean Islands
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews