Product Description

Inspiring gentle folktale set in Ancient Ethiopia. Breathtaking watercolors dramatize ancient Ethiopia s contrasting pastoral charm and majesty. Illustrations are rich with Ethiopian details. Fa This story reinforces values of generosity and selflessness over greed and self-centeredness. Glossary of Ethiopian terms and pronunciations. (Ages 4-13) Honored as: (1) Smithsonian Institute "Let s Read Selection" and (2) PBS-TV "Storytime Selection"

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #172371 in Books
• Published on: 1994-12-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 32 pages

From Publishers Weekly
The author and illustrator of Nekane, the Lami?a & the Bear present the second volume in the Toucan Tales series of international folktales. Discovering a perfect orange in her Ethiopian mountain village, Tshai travels to the city to tender her prize to the great Nigus. When the girl passes the house of the Lord Hyena, the jeering animal scorns her silly gift. But the ruler himself is so moved that he tries to reward Tshai with riches. When she refuses, Nigus orders his Royal Chamberlain to follow her and give her a donkey whose saddle bags are filled with gold and jewels. The greedy hyena hastens to offer Nigus his bountiful lands and cattle. In return, the wise Nigus bestows on the crafty hyena "our most prized possession": one perfect orange. Li's watercolors contrast the cocoa-brown hues of the countryside and buildings with the stark white robes and brilliantly colored accessories of traditional Ethiopian dress; it's odd, however, that his Ethiopian characters have such pink skin. Araujo, who came across this tale while working in the Harare region of Ethiopia, spices up his retelling by incorporating Amharic words and phrases. Ages 3-12.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3?In this gentle story from Ethiopia, an orphan girl presents the Nigus (king) with a perfect orange and refuses payment. She does accept a donkey, however, unaware that its saddlebags are full of gold and precious jewels. Ato Jib, the Lord Hyena, mocks the child's simple gift, but when he sees the richness of her reward, he hurries to the Nigus to present all his lands and cattle?and receives the perfect orange in return. Araujo's straightforward style is well suited to the simplicity of the story. Although the occasional inserted pronunciations can be distracting, they are certainly useful, as is the glossary. Li's delicate watercolors mesh well with the text. The earth-toned illustrations sweep across the pages, and are touched with brighter colors and intricate details. The human characters are a little stiff, but the hyena, muffled in his white robe, sparkles with mischief. An author's note identifies the oral source of the tale. A pleasant offering by the author and illustrator of Nekane, the Lamina, and the Bear (Rayve, 1993).?Donna L. Scanlon, Lancaster County Library, PA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
Also recommended by Faces, MultiCultural Review, Small Press Magazine, The Five Owls --Faces, MultiCultural Review, Small Press Magazine, The Five Owls

Araujo s straightforward style is well suited to the simplicity of the story. Li s delicate watercolors mesh well with the text . . . illustrations sweep across the pages. The hyena ... sparkles with mischief. --School Library Journal

The Perfect Orange is an inspiring and gentle folktale set in ancient Ethiopia, a generous young girl, Tshai travels far from her village to take an extraordinary gift to Ethiopia's ruler, the great Nigus. On the way, Tshai meets a greedy villain, Ato Jib, who selfishly plots to increase his riches. However, the great Nigus is wise: Ato Jib is foiled; and Tshai is rewarded liberally. Tshai returns to her village and true to her nature, joyously shares her unexpected fortune with her neighbors. -- Midwest Book Review

Customer Reviews

Very special story
This book reads like a parable...the moral is timeless and the art work is stunning. A good children's book that exopses a new culture in a beautiful way.

Perfect book for children and a good lesson for adults
This book is a perfect illustration on what a pure gift a child is and how innocent a child's heart can be. It teaches a few good life lessons and also incorporates a small amount of language from Ethiopia. We bought this book to introduce Ethiopia into our family for our small children while we wait to adopt a child from Ethiopia. This book is a must have for any child regardless of color, it is just a simple yet valuable story.

Very special and unusual book
The above quoted "Publishers Weekly" nails the critique for this book. It is enchanting and the artwork is dazzling. It is great to be able to offer your child an exposure to tales from other parts of the world, even if otherwise you would not have any connection to Ethiopia. It's fun to look the country up in an atlas with your child. My 4 year-old likes this book a lot. You won't regret it. It's not your everyday fare.