Los siete mejores cuentos centroamericanos. (The Seven Best Central American Short Stories)

By staff -- Críticas, 11/15/2007

Gr 4-6–Combining the mundane and the supernatural, these fables give children the opportunity for moral questioning. In “Los cinco tecomates” (The Five Tecomates), Mario disappears inside a cave after dismissing the deities’ instructions. In “El venado brujo” (The Enchanted Deer), Eusebio accidentally shoots his compadre in the woods thinking he is killing a deer—even though he was warned that the animal may actually be a human being. In “Tío Conejo” (Uncle Rabit), a rabbit accomplishes all of God’s feats, yet He does not keep his promise. Beyond the simple, fast-paced plots, readers may ponder questions that deal with compassion, persistence, ambition, and tolerance of difference. The seventh story is the odd one in the collection. While delightful, “El hechizo para hacerse invisible” (The Spell to Become Invisible) does not involve animals or deities and neither does it reflect an indigenous cultural mindset. Varied and interesting, the stories are illustrated in bright full- and half-page watercolors that are sure to draw attention. As with other titles in this series, a glossary for native terms such as milpa, zopilote, coatí, and moscardón would have been handy. Otherwise, this collection is a nice attempt at capturing native folklore from Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Panamá. Recommended for school and public libraries.—Gisela Norat, Agnes Scott Coll., Decatur, GA