The Clever Boy and the Terrible, Dangerous Animal [With CD]
Grade 1-4-This entertaining folktale is part of an oral tradition from the Middle East and Central Asia. A boy visits a neighboring village where he discovers a frightened crowd pointing to "a dangerous animal" in one of their fields. The youngster soon realizes that the large and terrifying object is a "MELON!" He proceeds to show the villagers that it can be eaten, and then they are fearful of him. He laughs at their silliness and their fear of the unknown, and convinces them that they can also plant its seeds and grow their own fruit. The strangers take his advice and soon their town is called Melon Village. The satisfying ending includes an illustration of the boy looking out onto fields full of melons. The colorful and humorously rendered illustrations bring this story to life. A great choice for anyone looking for a fun folktale with a positive message.Diane Olivo-Posner, Long Beach Public Library, CACopyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.