The Honey Jar
Grade 4 Up–Universal in appeal, this collection of 12 Mayan tales would be a significant addition to any library's holdings. The ancient stories are those that the author's grandparents shared with her when she was a child. The anthology includes creation myths, animal tales, twin tales (because twins are believed to have special powers), as well as stories that explain natural phenomena such as rainbows. Where It's Revealed That Each Thing Has a Spirit explains the book's title; the spirit, Rajaw Juyub', the one who judges the way people treat nature, is honored by being given candles, flowers, and a lot of honey. Domi's illustrations, done in oil, are boldly colorful and complement the stories well. Menchú's concluding words suggest the optimal way of sharing: these stories should be heard at night, sitting around a fire, just before you shut your eyes and begin to dream.–Alexa Sandmann, Kent State University, OHCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.