Chinye: A West African Folk Tale
Kindergarten-Grade 3-A retelling of a West African folktale. The heroine is Cinderella-like Chinye, who must labor day in and day out for her mean, conniving stepmother and her spoiled, lazy stepsister. One night she is sent into the dangerous forest for water, and her kindness and obedience lead her to great riches. The greedy stepmother then sends her daughter off to find the same treasure. Of course, the girl is unworthy of the task, and she and her mother lose everything. In the end, they leave the village. Chinye, in contrast, shares her new-found wealth with others and becomes a beloved and valuable citizen. This cautionary tale speaks of one's responsibility to the community, as well as of such values as obedience and humility. The watercolor paintings are full of drama and motion. Lush, sweeping foliage; intricately patterned cloth and pottery; and stirring facial expressions make the setting and characters come to life. A wonderful tale, beautifully told and illustrated.Carol Jones Collins, Montclair Kimberley Academy, NJCopyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.