  | Ancient night Author: Bowles, David | |
| Price: $23.28 | ||
Summary:
A twist on two Nahuatl traditions: the rabbit which the Feathered Serpent placed on the moon, and Yaushu, the Lord Opossum who ruled the earth before humans came, and who stole the fire from the gods to create the sun.
| Illustrator: | Alvarez Hernandez, David Daniel |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (01/15/23)
School Library Journal (+) (01/01/23)
Booklist (02/15/23)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (00/03/23)
The Hornbook (+) (00/03/23)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 01/01/2023 PreS-Gr 2—Mesmerizing illustrations combine with poetic text to share this Mesoamerican-inspired story about how the sun came to be high in the sky. Rabbit takes care to watch over the moon, ensuring it never stops glowing and refilling it often with aguamiel. When Opossum sees this, he wishes to have some of the aguamiel, but as he takes for himself, the moon grows darker. Ashamed, Opossum hides until he decides to obtain the fire of the gods, singeing his tail in the process, and places the fire high in the sky—now the new sun. Luminous acrylic and oil illustrations bring the night to life, with the glow of the moon and the aguamiel lighting up the world for Rabbit and Opossum, and dark blues, greens, and reds adding to the captivating atmosphere. Enchanting text presents the tale in short, clear sentences that convey a sense of timeless mystery and beauty. A note from the creators shares some of the traditional stories that inspired the picture book. VERDICT An excellent choice for picture book collections that uniquely explores traditional Mesoamerican tales and is sure to inspire the wish for further discovery and appreciation.—Selenia Paz - Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 02/15/2023 In this lovely collaboration rooted in the lore and traditions of Central America and Mexico’s indigenous Nahuas, when the actions of rivals Rabbit and Opossum result in the moon losing its light due to the loss of the aguamiel (sacred sap), Opossum must find a way to make it up to the people and animals on Earth. The soothing depictions of Rabbit on the moon, along with Lord Opossum, will draw readers in, as the textured and vibrant flora and fauna light up the moonbeam-soaked pages. Álvarez’s lush illustrations—the artist’s first that have been published in color—are beautifully complemented by Bowles’ shining prose. A concluding note details the history of Mesoamerican creation stories, the original tales of “The Rabbit and the Moon” and “Opposum and the Sun’s Fire,” and the culture’s rich legacy of weaving stories together over time, mirroring the very process that Álvarez and Bowles have executed here. With its gorgeous illustrations and simple, sweet message, this book will delight readers of all ages. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.
