Winner of the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Award and the Mr. Christie's Book Award
A well-known Bantu tale brought to dramatic life by extraordinary pictures depicting Africa in an uncliched way.
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When drought spreads through the land of the short grass, the animals set out across the great flat plain in search of something to eat. At last they come to a miraculous tree with fruit "as red as pomegranates, as yellow as bananas, as green as melons, as purple as plums, as orange as mangos." But the tree is so tall and its branches so high that even the giraffe can't reach the delicious fruit. In her graceful retelling of an old Bantu folk tale, celebrated storyteller and children's writer Celia Barker Lottridge shows how effort and determination, not necessarily talent, can save the day. The animals learn that the tree will lower its branches to those who know its name. So they send the gazelle (the fastest animal) and then the elephant (the animal with the best memory) to ask the name of the tree from their king, the lion, in the jungle. When both of these proud creatures fail, it's up to a young tortoise to find out the tree's name from the increasingly vexed lion king and remember it all the way back across the desert.
Ian Wallace, whose many exquisite picture books include Boy of the Deeps and Duncan's Way, creates a stunning backdrop of lightly coloured yet remarkably expressive illustrations for The Name of the Tree. The arid African plains take on a life of their own in these hot, hazy pictures, while Wallace's tree, with its long, twisting trunk, bright red branches, and luscious fruit, pulses with energy like a human heart. Winner of the Mr. Christie's Book Award, The Name of the Tree is recognized as a Canadian classic. (Ages 3 to 8) --Lisa Alward
Review
A lively African folktale that celebrates effort rather than talent...A strong read-aloud, handsomely illustrated. (Booklist 20020401)
The steady cadence of the text makes the story a worthy addition to the storytelling shelf, and young readers should also find it satisfying reading. (School Library Journal 20020401)
The story moves quickly in an easy, conversational style. (Horn Book 20020401)
The steady cadence of the text makes the story a worthy addition to the storytelling shelf, and young readers should also find it satisfying reading. (School Library Journal 20020401)
The story moves quickly in an easy, conversational style. (Horn Book 20020401)
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Once, long ago, in the land of the short grass, there was a great hunger. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
Once, long ago, in the land of the short grass, there was a great hunger. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase
My teacher read me this book when I was in grade one, and it stayed with me. I could recite mpst of it back even at the age of 22 when I was finally able to find a copy. Wonderful and catchy storyline for children.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.7 out of 5 stars
3 reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Name of the Tree: A Bantu Tale Retold
Sep 6 2012
By kitchen window
- Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is such a fun read aloud for elementary students. I encourage students to repeat the chant, "Ungali, Ungali, the name of the tree is Ungali." By the end of the story the students are cheering and everyone feels as though they were the ones who had the power to get the tree to lower its branches filled with bounty. The humor of the animals' encounter with the king of jungle adds to the enjoyment of this story.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful to Read Aloud
Jun 20 2005
By Haley Thomas
- Published on Amazon.com
This is hands-down my favorite book to read aloud to children - to my own 2 kids and as a volunteer reader to kindergarteners and 1st graders at a local school. Children often greet me in class by shouting out the tree's name and begging me to read it to them for the nth time. It is a very charming story with a memorable ending, and the illustrations are delightful.
I won't tell you the name of the tree - you'll have to read the book. But I'll bet the children in your life will remember it, and they'll ask you to read the story again and again.
I won't tell you the name of the tree - you'll have to read the book. But I'll bet the children in your life will remember it, and they'll ask you to read the story again and again.
1 of 4 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
What is the name of the tree?
Nov 10 2004
By Jacqueline Hackett
- Published on Amazon.com
Is it Awongalama? Is it an ant hill the animals trip over? Or is it as it is in this publication, something else?
The trouble with tales is they get retold... like fishing stories.
This Bantu tribal tale is one of my favourites. This particular publication has charming illustrations and a storyline that is similar to the original... with several differences.
Having won awards, it is hard to deny it would enhance your child's collection... after all, I have a copy.
Lazy P Publications is involved in a new title being released in the new year.
The trouble with tales is they get retold... like fishing stories.
This Bantu tribal tale is one of my favourites. This particular publication has charming illustrations and a storyline that is similar to the original... with several differences.
Having won awards, it is hard to deny it would enhance your child's collection... after all, I have a copy.
Lazy P Publications is involved in a new title being released in the new year.
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 3 reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
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