DePaola, T. (1983). The legend of the Bluebonnet. New York, NY. G.P. Putnam's Sons.
In this Texas Folktale from long ago, the Comanche tribe experiences drought and famine. The Great Spirits call for a great sacrifice so that it will rain again. The young girl "She Who Is Alone" decides that she will sacrifice her warrior doll with the bright blue feathers of a Blue Jay bird. This is her most prized possession because it was her only remaining item from her family who had all died from the famine. She decides to sacrifice her own doll for the good of her people by throwing her doll into a fire and then taking the ashes and throwing them into the hillside. When the tribe wakes up the following morning they see the hillside covered in bluebonnets and the rain begins to fall. From this moment on, her tribe decides to call her by a different name "One Who Dearly Loves Her People". Beautiful colors of the sky, feathers and Bluebonnets contrast with the beige earth tones of the dry lands, as well as the tee-pees and Native American clothing. This book can be used for many meaningful lessons and activities for young students. It is a perfect lesson starter to Texas Symbols, specifically the Texas state flower. It also serves as a great example of what a folktale or legend is and the elements of that type of story. In addition this book could also serve as a discussion starter for learning about Native American people specifically the Comanche Tribe and the customs, traditions, names, language and culture of that people. There are so many teaching opportunities in this book and the extraordinary pictures of Caldecott Honor artist/author Tomie DePaola never fail to captivate our eyes and hearts.
Read Alouds of this book can be found on youtube.com, search The Legend of The Bluebonnet.
In this Texas Folktale from long ago, the Comanche tribe experiences drought and famine. The Great Spirits call for a great sacrifice so that it will rain again. The young girl "She Who Is Alone" decides that she will sacrifice her warrior doll with the bright blue feathers of a Blue Jay bird. This is her most prized possession because it was her only remaining item from her family who had all died from the famine. She decides to sacrifice her own doll for the good of her people by throwing her doll into a fire and then taking the ashes and throwing them into the hillside. When the tribe wakes up the following morning they see the hillside covered in bluebonnets and the rain begins to fall. From this moment on, her tribe decides to call her by a different name "One Who Dearly Loves Her People". Beautiful colors of the sky, feathers and Bluebonnets contrast with the beige earth tones of the dry lands, as well as the tee-pees and Native American clothing. This book can be used for many meaningful lessons and activities for young students. It is a perfect lesson starter to Texas Symbols, specifically the Texas state flower. It also serves as a great example of what a folktale or legend is and the elements of that type of story. In addition this book could also serve as a discussion starter for learning about Native American people specifically the Comanche Tribe and the customs, traditions, names, language and culture of that people. There are so many teaching opportunities in this book and the extraordinary pictures of Caldecott Honor artist/author Tomie DePaola never fail to captivate our eyes and hearts.
Read Alouds of this book can be found on youtube.com, search The Legend of The Bluebonnet.
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