Lani and the Secret of the Mountain by Jewell Reinhart Coburn, Illus. by Mikki Senkarik, 1996.
This book is part of the Common Values series and, unlike most of the folktales that I have mentioned, was created specifically for teaching. It is intended for discussing values such as: "Responsibility, Loyalty, Compassion, Courage, Self-sacrifice and Thinking Consequentially." It is also a multilingual edition and contains a long version of the tale in English, plus shortened tellings in English, Chinese: Traditional & Hanyu Pinyin, Hmong, Cambodian (Khmer), Lao, Vietnamese and Spanish. Following the story is a teaching section, with background about China and this folktale, reading suggestions, story-related activities and discussion questions.
The story, also known as "The Long Haired Girl", it is about a brave young girl named Lani who saves her village from a terrible drought. The people and animals are suffering in the heat. Known to her neighbors as laughing and attractive, with long black hair that reaches the ground, Lani suddenly returns from the mountain with downcast eyes and lifeless, snow-white locks. She has learned that the mountain spirit is hording a special plant that can return water to the village, but she has been threatened with death if she tells of it. Even so, she is willing to sacrifice herself and bring life back to her people. They rejoice in the water's return and the spirit of the mountain sentences her to die in payment. Fortunately, the newly releases water spirits have a plan to save Lani from her execution that also brings back her health and beauty.
Senkarik's illustrations are a mix of black and white and color pictures. Lani is first shown with a little face surrounded by her waves of dark hair, intentionally springing out around her like a halo. This contrasts with a saddened Lani with cascades of white tresses. From there, the illustrations are done in color, each with fancy border frames. Lani is shown with her animal friends, both her pet piglets and wild creatures.
1 comment:
From: Dr. Jewell Reinhart Coburn, Author
Thank you for including and expressing appreciation for my book, LANI AND THE SECRET OF THE MOUNTAIN: a values-rich Chinese folk tale.
I have received many expressions of appreciation for the emphasis on values and noble behavior woven into and integral to the stories of my books.
Please see my additional titles:
ENCHANTED NECKLACE: The Wisdom of the Hmong Speaks to Us Today
ANGKAT: The Cambodian Cinderella
BEYOND THE EAST WIND: Legends and Folktales of Vietnam
JOUANAH: The Hmong Cinderella
ENCIRCLED KINGDOM: Legends and Folktales of Laos
KHMERS, TIGERS, AND TALISMANS: From the History and Legends of Ancient Cambodia
DOMITILA: A Mexican tale written in the Cinderella tradition
These books have received awards and recognitions and are used in classrooms throughout the U.S. and abroad.
Thank you for your interest in the books I have written chock full of action and high values.
Most sincerely, Dr. Jewell R Coburn
Post a Comment