Product Description

This rhyming text takes readers from Lake Titicaca all the way to the city of Cusco for the marvelous Inti Raymi festival. They'll meet children from many areas of southern Peru who are traveling to the festival, each using a different mode of transportation. Includes useful notes on the history and culture of Peru.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #583921 in Books
• Published on: 2008-09-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 32 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781846862038
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From School Library Journal
Grade 1-3–Vibrant folk-style illustrations in rich colors enliven a rhyming text that portrays the journeys made by descendants of the Incas traveling to celebrate Inti Raymi, the Inca New Year, in Cusco, the ancient Inca capital. On the winter solstice, when the sun is farthest from the Earth, the people gather to insure its return and the success of their crops. Up and down the Andes, there's excitement in the air,/And everyone is on their way to Cusco's central square./The children all are actors and they've come from far and near/To celebrate the festival that's held in June each year. The object of the celebration, the sun God himself, shimmers off the page in glowing shades of gold, and the faces of the participants are mesmerizing. The story is followed by an explanation of this celebration and other Peruvian festivals. The formidable Andes Mountains are captured in brilliant greens, and facts about them are included. This joyous story celebrates not only an annual holiday, but also the heritage reclaimed by the Andean people of Peru.–Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
“The Andes soar to meet the sky, / They plunge to meet the sea.” The mountain landscape is at the center of this picture book about the Peruvian Inti Raymi Festival as children travel from all over southern Peru, by bus, train, boat, mule, and truck, to the city of Cusco to celebrate with feasting and fun in their traditional costumes. The simple rhyming text and the bright, clear, beautiful unframed acrylic paintings express a strong sense of the rich traditions that are still part of contemporary life, from the clothes and food at the party to the images of the Sun God. Extensive appended notes and a clear map fill in the fascinating history, including lots of information about Inca culture and tradition. Grades K-3. --Hazel Rochman

Review
Peruvian children in colorful native garb make their way to a winter solstice celebration in this glowingly illustrated book. Krebs's rhyming couplets build anticipation as each of six young travelers uses different means of transport (bus, pack animal, etc.) to arrive at the ancient Incan festival of Inti Raymi, honoring the Sun God. Fronty's paintings, in a warm, vibrant palette, are contemporary in their compositions but recall folk art in their flat planes and use of patterns. Tile roofs, costumes and the sun's rays incorporate repeated geometric motifs. Meaty endnotes highlight Peru's history, geography and people. --Publishers Weekly

The simple rhyming text and the bright, clear, beautiful unframed acrylic paintings express a strong sense of the rich traditions that are still part of contemporary life, from the clothes and food at the party to the images of the Sun God. Extensive appended notes and a clear map fill in the fascinating history, including lots of information about Inca culture and tradition. --Hazel Rochman, Booklist

Customer Reviews

This enchanting book introduces us to the Peruvian festival of Inti Raymi ...
All the children are excited because it is June and they are going to Inti Raymi, "a majestic Inca festival held each year on June 24 to honor the Sun God." In the Andes mountains children prepare to head to Cusco. José is coming by bus, a long and bumpy ride from Lima. Louisa has been on a boat on Lake Titicaca. Riccardo and his mule are from a place near Manchu Picchu. Consuela is on Arequippa's busy train. Fidel and Tia are coming from Puno in a truck. They carefully tend their clothing along the way. There is lots of excitement to be had at the festival!

"The mountains edge the western coast.
They parallel the sea.
And up and down the Andes.
There are children just like me."

This is a magical little book that imparts the children's excitement as they head to Inti Raymi. The illustrations capture the essence of South America. In the back of the book there is a brief history of the festival and that of four other Peruvian festivals: Virgen de la Candelaria, El Señor de los Temblores and All Saints' Day. There is also a brief history of Peru, an overview of its peoples, the story of Machu Picchu, an overview of the Andes and a few additional, interesting facts. Did you know that Peru's official language is Spanish, but people in the "highlands speak Quechus, the language of the Inca?"

Boring for the boys
I liked this book for its illustrations and facts. My boys thought it was boring, and one of them has been to Peru. It's better to check it out of the library than to spend money on a book you will look at once.