Moon Rope/Un lazo a la luna
Fox wants to go to the moon. Mole does not—at least not until he hears about the huge worms waiting up there for him to eat. So the two of them set off on their adventure, with a little help from a rope of grass and their friends the birds. The bilingual text and bold art showcase Lois Ehlert at her captivating best.\ \ \ An adaptation of the Peruvian folktale in which Fox and Mole try to climb to the moon on a rope woven of grass.\
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A Peruvian folktale told in Spanish and EnglishPublishers WeeklyIn this imaginative take on an ancient Peruvian tale, Fox persuades Mole to climb with him on a grass rope he has braided and--with the birds' help--hitched to the moon. Fox trains his sight upward and is not seen again except by the birds, who claim they can spy him in the moon still. Mole, nervously looking downward, falls; the birds carry him back to earth amid the jeers of the other animals, and to this day he prefers his solitary tunnel. Simple though it is, this retelling emphasizes its timelessness as a story: on one hand there is the insatiable desire to transcend earthly bounds; on the other, the fear of the unknown. Ehlert's characteristic, highly stylized cut-paper figures, in deep, vibrant colors that are used to set off the evanescent silver of the fox, rope and moon, capture the myth's magic and dexterously suggest its pre-Columbian origins. The book's bilingual text provides valuable material for the ever-growing audience for multicultural children's books. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)
\ From the Publisher"Ehlert illustrates the simple story with bold, stylized cutouts . . . that are dazzling. . . . Altogether outstanding."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)\ "Visually dynamic . . . The storytelling in both languages is succinct and fluent. . . . A fine choice for reading aloud."—Booklist (starred review)\ "Ehlert's cut-paper illustrations are striking. . . . The characters have personality and verve. . . . A fine purchase for folktale and picture-book collections as well as for ESL programs."—School Library Journal (starred review)\ \ \ \ \ \ Publishers Weekly\ - Publisher's Weekly\ In this imaginative take on an ancient Peruvian tale, Fox persuades Mole to climb with him on a grass rope he has braided and--with the birds' help--hitched to the moon. Fox trains his sight upward and is not seen again except by the birds, who claim they can spy him in the moon still. Mole, nervously looking downward, falls; the birds carry him back to earth amid the jeers of the other animals, and to this day he prefers his solitary tunnel. Simple though it is, this retelling emphasizes its timelessness as a story: on one hand there is the insatiable desire to transcend earthly bounds; on the other, the fear of the unknown. Ehlert's characteristic, highly stylized cut-paper figures, in deep, vibrant colors that are used to set off the evanescent silver of the fox, rope and moon, capture the myth's magic and dexterously suggest its pre-Columbian origins. The book's bilingual text provides valuable material for the ever-growing audience for multicultural children's books. Ages 4-8. Sept.\ \ \ Children's Literature\ - Debra Briatico\ In this interpretation of a Peruvian folktale, Ehlert uses her signature bright colors to tell the story of a fox and a mole who want to climb a rope of grass to the moon. Fox, who keeps his eyes on the goal, is successful, but Mole, who is more interested in worms, slips and returns to earth where he hides his embarrassment by digging a tunnel. In this large format book, Ehlert uses brilliant colors and simple cutouts with Peruvian motifs to tell an endearing story. The text is provided for the reader in both English and Spanish.\ \ \ \ \ School Library JournalK-Gr 3-- A retelling of a Peruvian pourquoi story, presented in English and Spanish, that is concise and funny. Mole is a practical fellow who longs only for ``Worms, worms, more worms.'' Fox, however, is a visionary; he wants to go to the moon. He deter: mines his method of access a grass rope to be hooked around the bow of the crescent, chooses Mole as his companion, and, with the aid of some birds, sets off. He achieves his goal, his friend does not, and bits about the nature of the moon and the mole are explained in the process. Prince's stylish translation really shines. Her fox is so clearly obsessed with his project and so convincing in a used-car-salesman sort of way, that an oral telling cannot help but produce correct, funny inflections. Ehlert's cut-paper illustrations are striking. The bold colors range from earth tones to Day-Glo pinks, purples, and oranges, and her use of silver for Fox and for the moon is masterful. Shapes cut, apparently, by using the lines of rulers and templates as guides produce a remarkable, contemporary rendering of Peruvian folkart. Despite the use of fairly simple lines, the characters have personality and verve. The book's generous size makes this perfect for group sharing. Moon Rope can be used to give non-Spanish speakers an idea of the rhythm and cadence of that language. It is a fine purchase for folktale and picture-book collections as well as for ESL programs. --Ann Welton, Thomas Academy, Kent, WA\ \
