Bo Rabbit Smart for True

Contains a brief history of the Gullah people and their language. The four  folktales retold in this book permeate the Gullah culture; it captures the authentic flavor and lifestyle of the people.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Jaquith, Priscilla. Bo Rabbit smart for true: folktalks from the Gullah / retold by Priscilla Jaquith ; drawings by Ed Young. New York; Philomel Books, 1987
ISBN 0399207937

PLOT SUMMARY:

The folktales: Bo Rabbit Smart for True; Alligator's Sunday Suit; Bo Rabbit's Hide-and-Seek and Rattlesnake's Word come alive ~~~

Bo Rabbit Smart for True -- Bo Rabbit is very small and very smart. He uses his cleverness to trick Elephant and Whale into believing he is strong, exceptionally strong for his size.

Alligator's Sunday Suit --  Alligator had the perfect life -- he did not have to work, food was pleantiful and his skin was smooth and white. However, after meeting Bo Rabbit, Alligator no longer has his beautiful skin.

Bo Rabbit's Hide-and-Seek -- Bo Rabbit uses his speed to avoid Eagle and tells Partridge he is wrong to teach his little partridges hide, he should teach them to run. The next morning Bo Rabbit and Partridge and his little partridges meet for hide-and-seek. Bo Rabbit hides first and Partridge finds him quickly. Next, Partridge hides and Bo Rabbit cannot find him despite Partridge telling Bo exactly where he is going to hide. Bo Rabbit learns that what is good for one is not good for all.

Rattlesnake's Word --  Rattlesnake gets stuck when a tree limb falls on him. He asks and tries to persuade different animals to left the log off of him. Because no one trusts Rattlesnake they all refuse except one, Bear. Bear believes Rattlesnake when he says he will not charm him with his eyes and bite him dead. However, Rattlesnake's word is not worthy and he intends to bite Bear. Bo Rabbit comes upon the scene and tricks Rattlesnake into getting stuck under the log---again.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Each of these re-told folktales has a moral. The tale retains significant Gullah culture and tradition. The basic and primitive illustrations by Ed Young help put the reader in a rudimentary setting. It is obvious that each of these tales come from a specific culture; however, the moral of each story crosses all culture boundaries.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

Booklist:  "Drawn from the folklore of the Gullah people, this new version of the critically acclaimed folktale anthology, which includes two additional stories, captures the authentic flavor and rhythms of the original stories from the oral tradition."

CONNECTIONS:

* Read about Gullah history

* Discuss universal morals

* Create a short-story with a moral

* View other works by Ed Young

* Compare and contrast Ed Young's work

Ed Young