Jabuti the Tortoise: A Trickster Tale from the Amazon
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • An accidental discovery
  • ok
  • Can the Vulture get the better of Jabuti the Tortoise? No.
  • Marvelous artwork enhances this trickster tale
Jabuti the Tortoise: A Trickster Tale from the Amazon
Gerald McDermott
Manufacturer: Voyager Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0152053743

Amazon.com

Another installment in Gerald McDermott's wise and whimsical trickster series, Jabutí the Tortoise tells the tale of the Amazon jungle's shiny-shelled mischief-maker. Although Jabutí doesn't come across as the most clever trickster around in this particular retelling (he's duped by that crabby old Vulture and ends up getting bailed out by the King of Heaven), the colorful pipe-player and his songs are clearly well loved. Well, by everybody but his victims, that is: "Jaguar could remember when Jabutí tricked him into chasing his own tail," and "Tapir could remember when Jabutí tricked him into a tug-of-war with Whale." But we do get to learn how Tortoise's shell became cracked, and why Toucan, Macaw, and Hummingbird boast such brilliant colors.

Not the most notable entry in this region-by-region series, but beautiful and boldly colored nonetheless. Kids who aren't immediately hooked by Jabutí's story will likely still get drawn in by McDermott's vibrant colors and straightforward compositions of simply shaped jungle creatures set against a bright pink dawn. (Ages 4 to 8) Paul Hughes

Book Description

Jabutí's shell was smooth and shiny, and the songs he played on his flute were sweet. But his music was a reminder, too, of the mischievous pranks Jabutí sometimes played. When a concert takes place in heaven, Vulture offers to fly Jabutí there . . . all the while plotting a trick of his own.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars An accidental discovery.......2007-08-05

The only reason we read this book is because my girl liked the colors and the turtle on the cover.

At first I didn't think much of the story but it grew on me.

Jabuti is a gifted flute player who has a penchant for playing pranks. He tricked Jaguar into chasing his tale, he tricked lizard into giving him a ride on his back and he tricked Tapir into having a tug-of-war with an orca.

His music is well loved especially by the birds who will sing with him. Well except Vulture who can not sing and is jealous of Jabuti.

One day the birds are summoned by the King of Heaven to sing, rejoice and receive his blessing. Jabuti sees the birds fly and wants to go and play as well. Vulture sees his chance for revenge. He offers to fly Jabuti and when they are high enough Vulture suddenly flips and Jabuti falls and crashes below breaking his shell.

The King of Heaven spots Vulture and asks where is Jabuti. Vulture does not reply. The rest of the birds are sent to find jabuti.

Toucan, Macaw and Hummingbird find him and patch his shell.

Jabuti plays them a thank you song and as a reward; Toucan gets a red and yellow beak, Macaw gets orange feathers, and Hummingbid gets an emerald green belly.

Jabuti goes on playing in the Jungle where the animals likes his music; except of course Vulture who still can not sing.

As I mentioned this story grew on me but my daughter liked it outright. She especially likes the illustrations and will not say no for it to be a bedtime story.

3 out of 5 stars ok.......2007-03-28

Jabuti is a talented tortoise. He lives in the Amazon rain forest. He can play his flute well but brags too much to his fellow animals. There is a concert in heaven and vulture offers to fly Jabuti there. Find out how the vulture gets revenge!

5 out of 5 stars Can the Vulture get the better of Jabuti the Tortoise? No........2004-06-03

I have been tracking down trickster tales from around the world and it is always fascinating to see what animals in different cultures are seen as the sources of mischievous pranks. "Jabuti the Tortoise: A Trickster Tale from the Amazon" is about the central figure in the tribal lore of the Amazon rain forest. He might have short legs and be slow, but he is portrayed in stories as being virtually invincible because he is so clever he is able to outwit his larger foes. Of course, the tales about Jabuti are really about the follies of human beings.

In this story retold and illustrated by Gerald McDermott all of the creatures of the rain forest listen to the songs that Jabuti plays on his flute. But for some of the animals Jabuti's song sounds sour because they recall the prank that Jabuti played on them in the past. My one complaint about this story is that I get the feeling that McDermott is referring to real trickster tales about Jabuti in these passing references and I would really like to hear how Jabuti got the Jaguar to chase his own tail and the rest of these tales.

The point of this particular story is that there was one animal who was jealous of Jabuti, and that was the Vulture. Looking for an opportunity to eat the little tortoise the Vulture gets his opportunity when all the birds of the air were invited to sing for the King of Heaven at a festival. Jabuti wanted to go and play his flute as well and Vulture sees his chance to get the better of the tortoise. Actually, this story is about the trickster, but except for the flashbacks of the first section it is really about the attempt of the Vulture to trick the trickster.

As is often the case with many of these ancient myths and fables, there is a practical side to the story in that it explains why something in nature is the way that it is. As always, McDermott provides brightly colored illustrations (in which the backgrounds are always pink). Other trickster tales by McDermott include "Zomo the Rabbit" A Trickster Tale from West Africa," "Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest," and "Coyote: A Trickster Tale from the American Southwest," all of which serve as fitting introductions to the universal character of the trickster.

5 out of 5 stars Marvelous artwork enhances this trickster tale.......2002-05-28

"Jabuti the Tortoise: A Trickster Tale from the Amazon" is told and illustrated by Gerald McDermott. It opens with the title character playing his flute. Jabuti wants to play his instrument at a festival for the King of Heaven, but another creature's jealousy leads to conflict.

The fun story is brought to life by McDermott's superb artwork. His brightly colored illustrations have a highly stylized, almost surreal quality that I found very engaging. I loved the pictures of Jabuti, as well as those of the birds, trees, flowers, jaguar, and tapir. Dominated by bright pink and shades of green, the pictures really excite the eye. A charming book.
Leopard Tortoise: The Natural History, Captive Care, and Breeding of 'Stigmochelys pardalis' (Turtles of the World, Testudinidae, Number 4)
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                    Louisa Jones
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                      This isn’t a dream. You can actually spend the night in an authentic French château or manor house, one with all the personal care of a bed-and-breakfast. For centuries, the country’s small châteaux have remained secret, closed to all but the families of the owners. But in recent years, in efforts to generate revenue for preservation, many families are throwing open the doors and inviting the public in to stay. French Country Hideaways takes you inside 35 of these hidden gems where you can experience true French country living.
                      At these châteaux d’hôte you will meet the owner-innkeeper and get to know the individual spirit of the place. These off-the-beaten-track estates were selected because each possesses a unique bond to the land. None of the properties has more than fifteen guest rooms, and most offer table d’hôte meals in the evenings that showcase the specialties of the region. France remains the number one European destination for Americans, and its three most popular regions are the focus here. Gloriously photographed by Franco-American Stephanie Cardon and complete with listings for recommended nearby restaurants and activities, French Country Hideaways is a wonderful guide for those planning or just dreaming about a visit to these enchanted landscapes.

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                      5 out of 5 stars LOVE THIS BOOK.......2007-02-26

                      This is a great book for someone who is thinking of staying at a private French chateau or at a country manor. The book is divided into different regions of France, beautifully illustrating both the exteriors with their stunning views as well as the interiors of these places. One learns some information about the current owners of these charming dwellings. For each residence, there is a list of places to visit recommended by the owners. At the back of the book there is useful information on each chateau or manor such as the address, phone number, fax number, and often email address and website. This is a great travel aid for someone who planning a special vacation in rural France. Great decorating ideas too!

                      4 out of 5 stars Nice photos of French Country Chataeaus & Manors.......2006-11-02

                      I can only comment on the pictures in this book because I haven't had time to read the text lately. The pictures of the exteriors of the chateaus and manors are very well done. There are some nice photos of the interiors - what one would typically expect in a book of this title. Nothing was surprising and I wouldn't exactly call the interiors fabulous. For truly fabulous interiors I would suggest: The French Chateau by Christiane de Nicolay-Mazery & The French Country House, also by Christiane de Nicolay-Mazery.

                      5 out of 5 stars Be a Houseguest in a French Chateau..........2005-12-22

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                      Le Désert de Retz: A Late Eighteenth-Century French Folly Garden · The Artful Landscape of Monsieur de Monville
                      Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
                      • The Sublime & the Obscure
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                      Diana Ketcham
                      Manufacturer: The MIT Press
                      ProductGroup: Book
                      Binding: Paperback

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                      The Désert de Retz, the supreme surviving example of the folly garden, is one of the most amply and beautifully documented of France's historic gardens. Since 1990, when the Arion Press published the first book on this garden outside of Paris, the Désert de Retz has been transformed by an ongoing restoration. That limited, fine-press edition is long out of print and much sought after. This new edition reproduces in a smaller oblong format the material in the original book. Diana Ketcham's text has been expanded and updated to reflect recent scholarship and physical changes to the site. There are also new photographs that show the restored landscape and the complete restoration of the folly known as the Broken Column to its original state as a false ruin.

                      The 100 illustrations consist of views of the construction of the park (1774-1789); models from antiquity and analogues in contemporary gardens; facsimiles of the 26 engravings of the garden that appeared in Georges Le Rouge's Détails de nouveaux jardins a la mode: Jardins anglo-chinois, the most important illustrated book on gardens of the eighteenth century; and photographs of the buildings and grounds taken by the British photographer Michael Kenna. These beautiful photographs, together with Diana Ketcham's carefully researched text, capture the haunting atmosphere of the place during its transition from the romantic, overgrown state of benign neglect, which so intrigued the Surrealists, to the clearing and building that today preserve a balance between the encroachments of unruly vegetation and disintegration.

                      Customer Reviews:

                      5 out of 5 stars The Sublime & the Obscure.......2006-02-19

                      Ms. Ketcham has given full breath to the story of Le Desert de Retz, the fanstastic late 18th C. creation of Monsieur de Monville. The place and the book don't quite occupy the space they should in general conciousness, but it's interesting to note by whom Msr de Monville was inspired (Piranesi and others) and who he inspired (Thomas Jefferson's UVA Library). Ms. Ketcham reviews each of the estate's main buildings and follies and creates a picture of how Le Desert came to be, how it nearly came to destruction, and how it was thankfully saved.

                      The broken column at Desert de Retz is for me, a must see in my lifetime, largely as a result of this book. Do not mistake this for a coffe table book, but do take it for a work of beauty and insight...The reproductions of the vintage etching are very good, and the contemporary photographs by Michael Kenna are excquisite. The vintage photographs from the late 19th & early 20th century are an added bonus. It's easy to see why the surrealists were inspired by Le Desert, my only complaint is that I would have liked to know a bit more about any surrealist adventures (if any) at Le Desert...

                      5 out of 5 stars Poetry.......2003-09-05

                      Intrigued by the cover I bought the book sight unseen online and was very surprised to find it as beautiful inside. Diana has done a remarkable job getting the message across. This book is a pleasure to pick up at any given moment and just fantasize.
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                        Parke-Bernet Galleries
                        Manufacturer: The Parke-Bernet Galleries
                        ProductGroup: Book
                        Binding: Paperback
                        ASIN: B000TL8SCW

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                        • Entertaining and Enlightening Read
                        • the definite work in the field
                        Garden Pavilions and the 18th Century French Court
                        Eleanor P. Delorme
                        Manufacturer: Antique Collectors' Club
                        ProductGroup: Book
                        Binding: Hardcover

                        GeneralGeneral | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
                        LandscapeLandscape | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
                        Specific StylesSpecific Styles | Building Types & Styles | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
                        EssaysEssays | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
                        Garden DesignGarden Design | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
                        LandscapeLandscape | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
                        GeneralGeneral | France | Europe | History | Subjects | Books
                        ASIN: 1851491899

                        Customer Reviews:

                        5 out of 5 stars Entertaining and Enlightening Read.......2002-09-20

                        Professor DeLorme writes like she lectures; with incredible amounts of fascinating information and anecdotes that reveal a wealth of information on pavillions, and how they played a role in the French Court. Her lively tone makes for a very enjoyable read on a fascinating subject, and the book is as visually beautiful as one could expect. If you can't see her lecture in person, this book is the next best thing.

                        5 out of 5 stars the definite work in the field.......1999-01-17

                        Professer Delorme is a recognized authority in french decorative arts. This sumptuous work truly transposes the reader to another world . The text and illustrations are truly enlightening. I highly recommend this work for all library reference collections as well as art history students and collectors.
                        Utopia's Garden: French Natural History from Old Regime to Revolution
                        Average customer rating: Not rated
                          Utopia's Garden: French Natural History from Old Regime to Revolution
                          E.C. Spary
                          Manufacturer: University Of Chicago Press
                          ProductGroup: Book
                          Binding: Hardcover

                          GeneralGeneral | Europe | History | Subjects | Books
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                          RevolutionRevolution | France | Europe | History | Subjects | Books
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                          Natural HistoryNatural History | Nature & Ecology | Science | Subjects | Books
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                          ASIN: 0226768627

                          Book Description

                          The royal Parisian botanical garden, the Jardin du Roi, was a jewel in the crown of the French Old Regime, praised by both rulers and scientific practitioners. Yet unlike many such institutions, the Jardin not only survived the French Revolution but by 1800 had become the world's leading public establishment of natural history: the Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle.

                          E. C. Spary traces the scientific, administrative, and political strategies that enabled the foundation of the Muséum, arguing that agriculture and animal breeding rank alongside classification and collections in explaining why natural history was important for French rulers. But the Muséum's success was also a consequence of its employees' Revolutionary rhetoric: by displaying the natural order, they suggested, the institution could assist in fashioning a self-educating, self-policing Republican people. Natural history was presented as an indispensable source of national prosperity and individual virtue.

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                          The French Country Garden
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                            ProductGroup: Book
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                            The French Country Garden: Where the Past Flourishes in the Present
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                              Louisa Jones
                              Manufacturer: Bulfinch
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                              Guide des jardins botaniques de France et des pays francophones
                              Average customer rating: Not rated
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                                Manufacturer: Acta
                                ProductGroup: Book
                                Binding: Paperback

                                GeneralGeneral | France | Europe | Travel | Subjects | Books
                                FrenchFrench | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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                                The Arts of Friendship: The Idealization of Friendship in Medieval and Early Renaissance Literature (Brill's Studies in Intellectual History)
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                                  The Arts of Friendship: The Idealization of Friendship in Medieval and Early Renaissance Literature (Brill's Studies in Intellectual History)
                                  Reginald Hyatte
                                  Manufacturer: Brill Academic Publishers
                                  ProductGroup: Book
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                                  Book Description

                                  The Arts of Friendship focusses on literary representations of three categories of ideal friendship -- Christian, chivalric, and humanistic -- and the writers' strategies of establishing the ethical authority of their contemporary friends and codes on a par with antiquity's amicitia perfecta. The study identifies the extent to which writers acknowledged women as perfect friends. The selected texts under examination include, among others, hagiographies, works of Bernard of Clairvaux and Aelred of Rievaulx, The Quest of the Holy Grail, Thomas' Tristan, the Prose Lancelot, Ami and Amile, the Decameron, and L.B. Alberti's Dell'amicizia. Literary comparatists and historians, ethical historians, and students of rhetoric will find of interest the comparative study of the rhetorical topos of perfect friendship, the varied ethical criteria inherent there, and the writers' strategies for representing and authorizing an idea.

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