Jabutí the Tortoise: A Trickster Tale from the Amazon

What a delightful little story! McDermott retales this folk story with vivid color and all the heart that it is meant to have. It gives a proper little moral to children (and adults, I'm sure) told in a charming manner with gorgeous illustrations. Great to have around.

The only reason we read this book is because my girl liked the colors and the turtle on the cover. At first I didn't think much of the story but it grew on me. Jabuti is a gifted flute player who has a penchant for playing pranks. He tricked Jaguar into chasing his tale, he tricked lizard into giving him a ride on his back and he tricked Tapir into having a tug-of-war with an orca. His music is well loved especially by the birds who will sing with him. Well except Vulture who can not sing and is jealous of Jabuti. One day the birds are summoned by the King of Heaven to sing, rejoice and receive his blessing. Jabuti sees the birds fly and wants to go and play as well. Vulture sees his chance for revenge. He offers to fly Jabuti and when they are high enough Vulture suddenly flips and Jabuti falls and crashes below breaking his shell. The King of Heaven spots Vulture and asks where is Jabuti. Vulture does not reply. The rest of the birds are sent to find jabuti. Toucan, Macaw and Hummingbird find him and patch his shell. Jabuti plays them a thank you song and as a reward; Toucan gets a red and yellow beak, Macaw gets orange feathers, and Hummingbid gets an emerald green belly. Jabuti goes on playing in the Jungle where the animals likes his music; except of course Vulture who still can not sing. As I mentioned this story grew on me but my daughter liked it outright. She especially likes the illustrations and will not say no for it to be a bedtime story.