Product Description

Challenged by his master to spend a bitter-cold night alone in the mountains, an Ethiopian boy bets his future that he will succeed. And he does, warmed only by the sight of a distant fire. When his master refuses to recognize the boy's victory, the boy and his sister decide to beat the rich man at his own game. Watercolor illustrations.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #37556 in Books
• Published on: 1998-01-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 40 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780689818967
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
Young Alamayu's bravery goes unrewarded by a selfish rich man until the boy's clever sister puts things to rights. "Exceptional watercolors of Ethiopian mountains and mountain people quicken Kurtz's revision of a well-known tale," said PW. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 4-A newly illustrated version of a well-known Ethiopian folktale about a clever shepherd boy and his sister. In exchange for a bag of money and four cows, Alemayu accepts a challenge from his sister's boastful, rich employer to spend the night alone on a mountain with minimal clothing and without a fire. He survives the bitterly cold night by concentrating on a shepherd's fire across the way on another mountain. The haughty man refuses to pay him, stating that looking at someone else's fire is the same as building one's own-until the siblings devise a plan that allows the man to see the foolishness of his reasoning. Lewis has done an outstanding job of capturing the warmth and simplicity of the tale through his beautiful, watercolor paintings. They bring the story to life, complementing the emotion, expression, and character of the printed words. While other versions, including one by Harold Courlander, are available, this is a well-written retelling that's sure to be enjoyed whether read individually or aloud.-Jos N. Holman, Cleve.-Hts.
Univ. Hts. Public Library, Cleveland Heights, OH
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Ages 6-9. In this picture-book retelling of a traditional Ethiopian folktale, a young boy accepts a challenge from his sister's rich employer. When the rich man refuses to honor the bet, the boy and his sister proceed to win their fortune by beating the rich man at his own game. The watercolor illustrations vary in quality, but Lewis uses color to achieve intriguing contrast and articulates characters' faces with expression and power. Kurtz, who heard the story as a child in Ethiopia, retells it in a strong narrative voice: her language is simple and spare yet evocative. The subject and sophistication of the presentation may be best suited to children older than the usual picture-book age group. Janice Del Negro

Customer Reviews

Courage
The book in a very Ethiopian way talks about a courageous boy and his sister questioning authority. I read the book to my 6-year-old by sight translating it into Amharic; I thank the author for telling the story beautifully.

Beautiful
The combination of colours and language throughout this book creates an effect missing from many on the children's market. This sort of promotion of cultural diversity is needed in the West.

Mamo on the Mountain
We thought this book was very good and we enjoyed it . It also helped us with our classwork.We worked on what is similar and what is different to us.We are now writing from another character's point of view.