Legend of the Bluebonnet

We have many children's books by Tomie dePaola - each one is fantastic! He is both author and illustrator, and his books engage both child and adult. Collectively, he is my children's favorite (and mine!). His stories are extremely thoughtful and well-written, and his pictures are beautiful. Although some are fiction, many books are based on biblical stories or myths or legends, and some are about his own life. He offers purity along with a historical perspective. They are written without a religious fervor or bias - they will engage any one of any age who appreciates a well-told story. The Legend of the Bluebonnet is probably my favorite as it tells the dramatic story of a Comanche girl who has lost her family from famine. To relieve her people from suffering, she offers her greatest and only possession, even as others will not give up theirs. Each time I read it, I cry - most of you will too. I highly recommend this book for any one of any age to share with a child. Younger children under the age of six may not fully understand the character's solitude or mission. However, any child can still gain from the story, and every adult certainly will! It is also a wonderful book to purchase as a school/library gift.

Our family loves Tomie dePaola books, and this is one of his most beautiful. While I agree with one reviewer that it's not appropriate for two year olds, it really was fine for my 4 year old. As that same reviewer writes, the book's heroine, a child, sacrifices the last tangible memory of her family. However, this is shown as an heroic act of unselfish love--and her reward is that from that day on, the land is filled with tangible memories of her family's love in the form of the Bluebonnet flowers. My four year old asked many questions as I read the story, and my answers--and of course the story itself--showed him how even a child can be heroic--and that heroism does not need to involve swords and muscle--it can simply take the form of an unselfish act.

This was my favorite story when I was a child. I love how it tells of a young girl who chooses to give up something she loves for her family and people... I read this book whenever I could in school. Now that I teach pre school I get to share the beauty of this story with my class and they love it too...In Texas you see them everywhere in late March to early May. I use to think it was funny but now I have to wonder why, when you see a bluebonnet an Indian paintbrush isn't that far away?

Every spring, throughout central Texas where I live, we are blessed with one of mother nature's great floral displays--Texas Wildflower Season. For three to four weeks in April and May the countryside--as far as one can see in all directions--is a rainbow of color as billions of wild flows bloom. Chief among these are the Bluebonnets, the Sate Flower of Texas.The Legend of the Bluebonnet is the retelling of the old Indian legend of how this event came to occur. It relates the story of She-Who-is-Alone, an orphaned Indian girl being raised by her tribe during a time of extreme drought and famine. This young girl is the sole remaining member of her family--the others have all died in the famine.The tribe calls upon the Shaman to commune with the Great Spirits to divine what it is the People must do to regain harmony with nature. The Shaman states that a "great sacrifice" needs to be made. How She-Who-is-Alone acts upon that message is how the Bluebonnets come to be ion Texas.This is a very sad and hear-rending story in large part, though it is also incredibly heartwarming and inspiring as well. This has always been one of my kid's favorite books--my wife's and mine as well. However, it is probably a book best left to a bit older child--say 8 and above. Once you start reading it though, you will never stop. You will read it many time to your children--and your grandchildren.This book is a treasure.

Tomie De Paola's version of "The Legend of the Bluebonnet" is a wonderful tale of sacrifice, and homage to the importance of family and community. The young Native American girl has been orphaned due to a terrible drought, and lives alone. Yet, she is willing to give up the only thread of the connection to her past. She sacrifices her prized possesion, her doll by placing it upon the sacrifical fires of her tribe. The sacrifice is rewarded by the gods with rains to end the drought which claimed her family. There is yet another gift from the gods for the girl's unselfish act. Beautiful bluebonnets now grow in the wilds commemorating the child's gift to the gods on the behalf of her people. The artful depiction of the drought, and the renewal of the earth when the rains come tell the tale of the desperation, and the hope in "The Legend of Bluebonnet". This selection pairs nicely with Barbara Cooney's "Miss Rhumphius" for classroom literature comparisons. This is a must for the elementray library. A fine example of integrated science literature.