THE LEGEND OF THE BLUEBONNET

Retold and illustrated by Tomie DePaola
ISBN: 9780399209376

Bibliography:
De Paola, Tomie. 1983. The Legend of the Bluebonnet: An Old Tale of Texas. New York: Putnam.

Plot:
The Comanche people plead with the gods to send rain to save their people. After losing her entire family to drought and famine, She-Who-Is-Alone sacrifices her only possession, a doll made for her by her mother, in hopes of appeasing the gods and saving the rest of her people. After this sacrifice, bright blue flowers appear on the hill as a sign of forgiveness from the gods and the rains fall. Every year the Great Spirits fill the hills of Texas with these flowers to remember the sacrifice of a selfless little girl.

Analysis:
This is a touching story with a wonderful theme of selflessness. She-Who-Is-Alone does what is best for her people and saves them by giving up her only possession. The illustrations in this story are simple yet powerful as they convey the loneliness and sadness of She-Who-Is-Alone. The artwork reflects the Comanche culture, and the mention of Great Spirits is true to the culture in that they worshiped many spirits equally.

Review Excerpts:
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books: "The soft colors, the spacious composition, and the feeling of reverence conveyed by the pictures are in effective harmony with the text."

School Library Journal: "This is a solemn, simply-told tale and the concept of an unselfish parting with a prized possession is one to which children will readily relate. . . . The full-color paintings in tableau-like settings are nicely staged with well-executed design and color."

The Horn Book: "The legend of the origin of the Texas state flower is portrayed in clean, uncluttered pictures filled with warm, rich colors. The Indian girl stands out as independent and determined to help the Comanche people."

Connections:

*This story would serve as a great introduction for a unit on folktales and legends.

*Students can also read The Indian Paintbrush also written by DePaola and compare/contrast the two legends.