Erandi's Braids

by Antonio Hernandez Madrigal, Tomie dePaola (Illustrator)

Overview

The yellow dress Erandi wants for her birthday will look beautiful with her long, thick braids. But Mama's fishing net is full of holes, and there isn't enough money to buy both a new net and a birthday dress. The only solution lies with the hair buyers from the city. But Mama's hair isn't nearly as beautiful as Erandi's. Will Erandi have to choose between her birthday present and her braids? This touching tale of love and sacrifice is sprinkled throughout with Spanish words and expressions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780698118850
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	03/19/2001
Series:	Picture Puffin Books
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	147,574
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.13(d)
Lexile:	AD580L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 5 Years

About the Author

Tomie dePaola (www.tomie.com) is the acclaimed author and/or illustrator of more than 250 books for children. His books range from autobiographical stories to retellings of folktales and legends to original tales, such as the Strega Nona books. The American Library Association said: “His works reflect an innate understanding of childhood, a distinctive visual style, and a remarkable ability to adapt his voice to perfectly suit the story.” Tomie has received the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, a Caldecott Honor for Strega Nona, and a Newbery Honor for his autobiographical chapter book, 26 Fairmount Avenue. He was awarded the Smithson Medal, the Regina Medal, was designated a “living treasure” by the state of New Hampshire, and received the 2012 Original Art Lifetime Achievement Award given by the Society of Illustrators. He lives in New London, New Hampshire.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"DePaola's work transports readers to the innocence and austerity of a timeless Mexican village." —Kirkus Reviews

"A touching story with the tenderness of O. Henry's 'Gift of the Magi'." —Booklist, starred review

Editorial Reviews

"DePaola's work transports readers to the innocence and austerity of a timeless Mexican village." —Kirkus Reviews

"A touching story with the tenderness of O. Henry's 'Gift of the Magi'." —Booklist, starred review

From the Publisher

A touching story with the tenderness of O. Henry's 'Gift of the Magi'.

Booklist

Erandi, a Mexican girl, looks forward to her birthday and a forthcoming village fiesta with great anticipation--after all, she hopes to have a new dress to wear. But Erandi's dreams of pretty things are soon interrupted. Mam 's fishing net, with which she catches their food, is too torn to repair and there is not enough money to buy a new net as well as a dress. Erandi receives her new frock, but afterward, she and Mam head for the barber shop. Erandi is terrified that Mam will sell Erandi's beautiful long braids to the hair buyers from the city, but it is Mam who steps into the chair. When the barber tells Mam that her hair is not long enough, Erandi summons her courage and offers her own tresses, earning enough money for a fishing net and another special birthday present. Madrigal (The Eagle and the Rainbow: Timeless Stories of M xico) creates a vivid portrait of life in the hilly village of P tzcuaro, Mexico, 50 years ago and sprinkles his text with a few basic Spanish words (huipil, tortillas, hija) easily deciphered by their context (though a glossary is included). DePaola's creamy gouache paintings in muted colors give this story of self-sacrifice and family love a sunny warmth. Such details as traditional Mexican architecture, pottery and clothing further define the time and place. Ages 4-8. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

K-Gr 3--Set in the Mexican village of Patzcuaro, this is the story of a young girl's selflessness and her mother's tenderness. Excited about her birthday, Erandi hopes for a present, but when her mother worries that their fishing net is worn out, the girl fears that they will not be able to afford a gift. The next day, however, the purchase of a yellow dress sets her heart at ease--until her mother takes her to the barber shop where the braids of the local women are cut off and sold to merchants from the city. There, Erandi fears that her mother will sell her braids, but in the end the child makes her own decision. According to an author's note, this story draws on the practice of the Tarascan women of the Michoacan province of selling their hair for use in making false eyelashes, wigs, and fine embroidery during the 1940s and `50s. While the idea of making sacrifices for the people one loves is universal, the context into which the tale is set makes the whole seem a bit labored. Bordering on the didactic, it is saved by dePaola's signature paintings, which use earth tones and blues to bring the village and the characters to life. Perhaps best used as support for social studies units on Latin America, this tale serves to point out the human ties that cross cultural lines.--Ann Welton, Terminal Park Elementary School, Auburn, WA

School Library Journal

DePaola's signature rounded characters and folk-influenced palette invigorate this slim Mexican folktale. The next day will be Erandi's birthday, and though she would love a new dress for the upcoming village fiesta, she isn't expecting much. But Erandi's hardworking Mamá is determined to buy her something special. "We will pay the best prices for your hair. Come to Miguel's Barber Shop tomorrow," a loudspeaker on the street beckons, giving Mamá an idea of what she must do to ensure her daughter a happy day. At first, Erandi is frightened-whose hair will Mamá sell? Mamá tries to sell her own hair, but the barber says it is not long enough; this selfless act gives Erandi the courage to sell her own hair, and in the end, she earns a dress and a doll. Although the storyline-equating the cutting of hair with sacrifice, as it was for O. Henry's young couple and Alcott's Jo-is not entirely new, dePaola's work transports readers to the innocence and austerity of a timeless Mexican village. (glossary) (Picture book. 4-7) .

Kirkus Reviews