Traditional Review--The Legend of the Bluebonnet

BIBLIOGRAPHY

DePaola, Tomie. 1983. The Legend of the Bluebonnet. New York, NY: The Putnam & Grosset Group. 1561373281.

PLOT SUMMARY
This fascinating narration of a Comanche Indian tale explains the inception of the bluebonnet, the state flower of Texas. There is drought and famine in the land. The shaman tells the people that the Great Spirits feel that the people have become selfish. The Comanche People are told that they have to sacrifice their most valued possession as a sacrifice and scatter the ashes if they want rain.

“I’m sure it is not my new bow that the Great Spirits want,” a warrior says. “Or my special blanket,” a woman adds, as everyone goes to their tipis to talk and think over what the Great Spirits have asked. A little girl named She-Who-Is-Alone says to her companion warrior doll, a legacy from her family, “You are my most valued possession. It is you the Great Spirits want.” She burns her doll and throws the ashes to the Home of the Winds.

The next day the hills are blanketed with bluebonnets. The People celebrate, the rains return and they rename the noble and courageous young girl One-Who-Dearly-Loved-Her-People. This land is now called Texas.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The plot begins with obstacles, famine and drought. As the story unfolds, the main character, a young Comanche orphan girl, discovers strength and courage to help her people. By making the right choice, the heroine of the benefits and so does her tribe.
Tomie dePaola uses the warrior doll as a symbol of the She-Who-Is-Alone’s lost family. The doll offers comfort to the orphan. In the end, the word “Alone” in her name is changed to “Dearly-Loved-Her-People”. This reflects the change in her circumstances from a lonely girl without a family to a girl who loves and is loves by all.

“The ground was covered with flowers, beautiful blue flowers, as blue as the feathers in the hair of her beloved doll.” In this statement, the author uses allusion to connect the sacrifice to the end result.

This story has a prominent theme of surrendering of one’s most valued possession for the greater good. The pictures are colorful and vibrant and teach about Northwest Indian art.
The simplistic illustrations with various hues of color in the background and less than half and page of text will definitely enthrall young readers. Both the illustrations and the language in the tale portray the customs, dress, and culture of the Comanche people.


REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Booklist (September 1, 1991). This live-action adaptation of Tomie dePaola's Legend of the Bluebonnets (Putnam, 1983) portrays the time-honored sacrifice of a treasured doll by a young Comanche to end a drought. Although other tribal members are unable to part with a favorite bow, blanket, or pair of moccasins, the girl's gift to the Spirit is responsible for the return of the blue flowers, the sign of rain. With a backdrop of bluebonnets carpeting the landscape, the camera glimpses the tepees and rain dances of the Comanches. Family relationships are sensitively portrayed in this pleasing production, expressively narrated in voice-over by a native American. A welcome addition to school and library programs. Ages 7-10.

From Publishers Weekly According to PW , this tale of Little Gopher's artistic dreams is "related with deceptive simplicity by dePaola; he enhances the plainness of the story with his primitive illustrations and . . . finds inspiration in the colors of the sunset." Ages 4-8. Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

CONNECTIONS
The Legend of the Bluebonnet can be used to expose children to multicultural literature.
The book can also be used to teach children about responsibility, sacrifice, and courage.
It is a great book for the whole family because it is easy to read and understand. In addition, it focuses on family, community and nature.


Similar books by Tomie dePaola:

The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush (0399215344)
The Legend of Poinsettia (0399216928)
The Legend of Old Belfana: An Italian Christmas Story (0152438165)

Other books by Tomie dePaola:

Strega Nona (0689817649)