Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.
Synopsis
“A Great Flood is coming. Soon it will cover the land. I sing so you can save yourselves,” said Spotted frog.
Based on a traditional story from the Creek Indians of Northern Florida and Georgia, The Otter, the Spotted Frog & The Great Flood tells the tale of Listener the Otter, the only animal that heeds the warnings of Spotted Frog. Ridiculed by the other animals, Listener begins to build a raft to try and survive the impending disaster. But will his efforts be enough?
Review
This origin tale was an interesting one to read. I enjoy reading folk tales from different cultures to get a glimpse into their worldview and their beliefs about our shared world. This story was reminiscent of the Christian version of the Great Flood found in the book of Genesis, in which a warning is sent to one person (in this case, Listener the Otter) about an impending storm that would wipe out all life on Earth, and a way for that person to save himself. However, there were a lot of details to the story that were very different and intriguing to me. Sometimes odd. But I suppose that is to be expected when confronted with something that is markedly different than what you believe. Nevertheless, it was all interesting.
I found the pictures and the story itself to be attention-grabbing. In some books you find one or the other (words or illustrations) taking precedence. However, in this book, the two worked together well – complementing each other. This story makes you think about how easy it is to ridicule one person who is made out to be different or even crazy. And then, oddly enough, that person ends up being right. One thing I did like is how the tale ends with a note about how the “new” inhabitants of Earth were good to our planet and listened to nature. And, in return, it was good to them. It’s like a call for us to heed the warnings that nature is sending to us before it is too late.
I find it interesting how so many origin stories have similar features. This one was no different. If you are interested in folk tales, I would recommend picking this one up. You can get a copy on Amazon. You may also enter for the chance to win a free copy via the giveaway below.
About the Author
Gerald Hausman is the author of more than 70 books. His live storytelling has been praised by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, History Channel, and the Bank Street College of Education. He and his wife have received numerous awards in the field of children’s literature.
“As a writer I have often been called a scribe. This is because in the gathering of oral tales, I have always tried to get the story right. To capture the flavor, the region and the moral as the original storyteller gave it to me. The NYT Book Review called my collection of American Indian stories, Tunkashila ‘an eloquent tribute to the first great storytellers of America.'”
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
