The Watersnake

by Berniece Freschet, Susanne Suba

A story from the Indian epic, The Panchatantra, is presented in four-color woodcuts and simple text

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Blue Jackal by Marcia Brown Hindi language translation by Arvind Gupta- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates an Indian Folktale about a timid jackal who becomes king of the forest by virtue of its blue colour. Once upon a time, a poor and hungry jackal who, desperate for food, enters a village and hides behind bushes. Village dogs smell the jackal and chased him. In an attempt to save his life and elude his pursuers, jackal dives into a vat of indigo dye, turning him a bright blue. Jackal comes out and because of his blue colour, dogs leave him. Jackal runs into the forest. All animals view him and consider the jackal as their king. For a few days, jackal enjoys the treat. In the night, all jackals collect, look at the moon and croon. Blue jackal joins them. Thus, all animals of the forest know that their so called king is a jackal. They chase him out. The book concludes with the following philosophical lyrical note.
"What is my place? My time? My friends?
Expenditure or dividends?
And what am I? And what my power?
So one must ponder hour by hour."

Colured illustrations help the reader in relating to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.

[Elijah Park-Rosser · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story of a blue jackal that becomes king because of beeing blue. Marcia Brown's illustrations always make her books worth a look.

[Robert Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a most splendid, and sadly underrated book by the marvelous Marcia Brown. In it, she retells the classic tale known throughout the Indian sub-continent, of a poor and hungry jackal who, desperate for food, enters a village. There he is chased by vicious dogs and in an effort to elude his pursuers, dives into a vat of indigo dye, turning him a bright blue. From there, his adventures begin.

Ms. Browns' woodcut illustrations are exceptionally vibrant, colorful and full of rich detail. This really is quite an exquisite book. The last page is a bit interesting, as it concludes the story on a more philosophical lyrical note than the rest of the story.

"What is my place? My time? My friends?
Expenditure or dividends?
And what am I? And what my power?
So one must ponder hour by hour."

It is a shame that this book has apparently been out of print since 1977. Hopefully it will continue to be published again for future generations to enjoy.

[Alnora]

I love this old folk tales, but just as with the other Marcia Brown books, I wish there would've been more color.