Abiyoyo Returns

by Pete Seeger, Paul DuBois Jacobs

After Abiyoyo the giant left, the small town he had bothered grew by leaps and bounds. The boy who helped his father make Abiyoyo disappear grew older and became a father, too. The people were filled with new life and spirit. But now there are new droughts and floods. The town needs a dam before it gets washed away. And sitting right where the dam would be is a boulder too big for anyone to move. Anyone, that is, except Abiyoyo.
Father still has his courage. Grandfather still has his magic wand. And his granddaughter knows he can bring Abiyoyo back, then make him disappear. But Abiyoyo is dangerous. People think the giant will eat them. Will lots of good food and beautiful songs keep Abiyoyo happy long enough to move the boulder and once again leave the town in peace?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Africa, Cultural, Music, Fantasy

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Peter Seeger, better known as Pete Seeger, was a folk singer, political activist, and a key figure in the mid-20th century American folk music revival. As a member of the Weavers, he had a string of hits, including a 1949 recording of Leadbelly's "Goodnight Irene" that topped the charts for 13 weeks in 1950. However, his career as a mainstream performer was seriously curtailed by the Second Red Scare: he came under severe attack as a former member of the Communist Party of the United States of America. Later, he re-emerged on the public scene as a pioneer of protest music in the late 1950s and the 1960s.

He was perhaps best known as the author or co-author of the songs "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?", "If I Had a Hammer (The Hammer Song)", and "Turn, Turn, Turn!", which have been recorded by many artists both in and outside the folk revival movement and are still sung throughout the world. "Flowers" was a hit recording for The Kingston Trio (1962), Marlene Dietrich, who recorded it in English, German and French (1962), and Johnny Rivers (1965). "If I Had a Hammer" was a hit for Peter, Paul & Mary (1962) and Trini Lopez (1963), while The Byrds popularized "Turn, Turn, Turn!" in the mid-1960s. Seeger was also widely credited with popularizing the traditional song "We Shall Overcome", which was recorded by Joan Baez and many other singer-activists, and became the publicly perceived anthem of the 1960s American Civil Rights Movement soon after musicologist Guy Carawan introduced it at the founding meeting of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in 1960.

Reviews

[Mr. Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the redemption and second chance given to a misunderstood, food-loving, break-dancing giant. A happy ending without being forced. I love sharing Abiyoyo to the next generation. Amazing.

[Manuel Perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Abiyoyo” was a interesting folktale. This story was based on a father and his son who went all around town. He father was a magician and played tricks on people, and his son mas a ukulele player which irritated everyone. They were kicked to the edge of town. One day a giant name Abiyoyo came into town and started to eat animals and destroy everything. The father and his son worked together, and, as the boy entertained the monster with his ukulele, the father made the giant disappear. They were once again welcomed to town.


This story is considered a folktale because it has all the elements of a folktale. Some of this elements are passed from generation to generation, no specific author, involves supernatural behavior, and need to have a theme. It represents the supernatural in paragraph 11 were it states that they saw a big monster on the horizon and could feel the whole ground shake. Another evidence that proves the story is a folktale is that clearly says that the story about a giant called Abiyoyo has been told for many generations,it says this on paragraph 8 of page 1 on the story. The theme of his story is that no matter how bad people can be to you, never give up on them. I believe this because the man and his son were kicked out of town because they were annoying, but they beat up the giant and saved the city, because of this they were once again welcomed in the city.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of the first Abiyoyo book but this one just didn't do it for me.

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abiyoyo Returns by Peter Seeger Illustrator Paul duBois Jacob- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture folktale Book-The book narrates the interest folktale of “Abiyoyo”. This story was based on a father and his son who went all around town. He father was a magician and played tricks on people. His son Mas is Ukulele (musical instrument) player. One day a giant name Abiyoyo came into town and started to eat animals and destroy everything. The father and his son worked together, and, as the boy entertained the monster with his ukulele, the father made the giant disappear. They were once again welcomed to town. As the population of the village increased, they used natural products. Trees were uprooted. Floods arrived and farms were destroyed. Villagers planned to construct a dam on the river. As the work begins, they find that a large bounder on the way. They are unable to remove the boulder. They all decide to bring in Abiyoyo. His burns a special wood and invites Abiyoyo in the smoke. Abiyoyo appears eats their food and helps them construct the dam. Now, the people wish that Abiyoyo become part of their village family. They provide him food and make him feel as if he a member of their family. Abiyoyo helps the villagers to lead a happy life where they can sing and dance on the music of Ukulele. I have read this book in Hindi language. Coloured sketches help the reader to relate to the story.

[Steve Holden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good sequel the folktale. The village has been freed of the dangers of Abiyoyo, but new dangers emerge. Floods and then a drought endanger the village and all inhabitants. The power of song and the worth of all in the village must again join together to help save the village once more. I had never read this one, but with the rediscovery of Abiyoyo, I had to look for and check this one out.

[Kest Schwartzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm honestly a little embarrassed that I love this, but I do

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sequel is less exciting than the original.

[Emily]

i'd never choose to read this one. too many words, the story isn't interesting. nothing cute about it.

[Kimberlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: "Abiyoyo Returns"
Author: Peter Seeger and Paul DuBois Jacobs
Illustrator: Michael Hays
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Pub. Date: 2001

Genre: Cultural Folktale Picture Book
Grades: K-3

This story is about a little girl, who helps saves the town. The story starts with the town's flooding and drought problems. The people try to build a dam, but they cannot move a boulder that is in the way. The little girl comes up with a plan to bring back Abiyoyo and have him move the boulder. Abiyoyo is a giant, who eats people, that was made to disappear earlier by her father and grandfather. The little girl wants to bring him back for help, but many are unsure if this is a good thing to do. Everyone finally agrees to bring him back, but before they do, everyone makes plenty of good food to eat so that he will not want to eat them up. They also practice their singing, since Abiyoyo seemed to like music before. Her grandfather used his magic wand to bring back Abiyoyo. Abiyoyo eats up the food. The little girl asks him if he is strong enough to move the boulder, so Abiyoyo moves it to show his strength. He then shares that he is still hungry. The people told him that there was no more food, so they start singing a song, "Abiyoyo." Abiyoyo likes that it is his song and starts dancing. When he gets tired, he falls asleep. This is grandpa's chance to return Abiyoyo, but his wand got broke when the boulder was thrown. The little girl helps again with the town coming together to share food with Abiyoyo, and Abiyoyo learning to be part of the little girl's family.

Activities:
1. The students will do a problem-solution lesson. With the use of a T-chart, the students will learn to recognize problems in the story and then the solution.

2. The teacher could read the first book, "Abiyoyo" by Peter Seeger, to the students. The students could sing the song "Abiyoyo" with the CD that comes with the book. Then the students could act out the stories while the CD is playing.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abiyoyo got kind of a raw deal in the original book, which was very loosely based on a South African lullabye. He wasn't really evil, just hungry and not very bright.
After being banished into an unknown location in the first book, the very people who sent him away bring him back to solve their problems. Then, they planned to exile him again, and this was only prevented by an accident. That's just downright mean.
Still, once they're stuck with a hungry giant, they do provide him with food and entertainment. I'm not sure just how that works, given his size and appetite, but I guess he gets a happily-ever-after ending, at least.
The artwork is delightful, and the story wraps up what was, to me, an unsatisfying first book.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful tale about magic, ecology, and reaching consensus. The diverse and Afro-centric cast is refreshing, and I love that it's a girl protagonist this time. (The prequel Abiyoyo had a boy and father). One thing that nags at the back of my mind is that the story is resolved a little too neatly. They even help Abiyoyo wash his stinky feet! Kind of takes a little of the tension and variation away from the story. But it is nice to have non-violent solutions, so I'll accept it.

[Bvlmc Buchanan Verplanck Elementary School · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the villagers clear the land around their town for farms, the deforestation causes spring flooding of their village and drought in the summer months. The townspeople gather and plan to build a dam to control the flooding and save the spring rains for the summer crops, but construction halts when the townsfolk unearth an enormous boulder. It is then that a young girl suggests that the town reawaken the giant Abiyoyo and ask him to move the boulder. The villagers cook lots of good food and practice their music in order to ensure Abiyoyo doesn't eat them. With the touch of a magic wand, Abiyoyo reappears. Does the town's plans work this time?

[Salsabrarian]

The town once threatened by the monster Abiyoyo is overdeveloped many years later, suffering spring floods and summer droughts. The idea is to build a dam. But an enormous boulder impedes progress. The little girl whose grandfather originally saved the town from Abiyoyo suggests bringing back the monster to move the boulder. The grandfather brings him back with his magic wand and after being appeased by food and music, Abiyoyo flings away the boulder. But the boulder breaks grandfather’s wand and Abiyoyo can’t be sent back. He ends up living in the town and everyone learns to live with him. Paintings depict a traditional multicultural town.

[GoldenjoyBazyll · Rating 3 out of 5]

recently I did a learning activity using the book Abiyoyo and Abiyoyo returns for a readig camp we have here at the museum. The children loved the format. We read Abiyoyo and then they got to create their very own village giant using model magic and markers then we finished with Abiyoyo returns. In my opinion.... Abiyoyo is far more interesting and exciting. It has more body and edge. Abiyoyo returns is tidy... evrything ends happily ever after. With the kids I worked with... there was enjoyment but I think the edge of the first prevailed.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this one even better than the first, especially because this version features the daughter of the boy, now man, who plays the ukelele and she plays the drums and facilitates the return of the giant as well as the town's eventual peace-making with the giant. Also has a great environmental politics edge. Brings the first story into the 21st Century and leaves us with hope of renewal and progress. Illustrated by the same guy who drew Jonathon and his mommy, another great book.

[Annalee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things are not always as they seem. And sometimes, things turn out different, yet better than we plan, even thought at first, we may not feel it is better. I also like the power of music in the book.

[Deana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun folk song. We sing it through the house. I love this book.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

a good story for teaching music

[D Nine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kindergarten class was transfixed and outraged and relieved. Had their attention.

[Goldie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that they finally enjoy Abiyoyo for what he is meant for and treat him like he's a human.

[Lydia Granda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one!