Status
Available
Collection
Publication
Scholastic (2000), Edition: Second Printing, 32 pages
Description
When Wind, Fire, and Rain meet in the land of the Yoruba to decide which of them is the greatest, Wind and Fire make great shows of strength, but Rain demonstrates the power of gentleness.
Local notes
Kirkus Review, 12/14/1999
A Nigerian folktale becomes especially appealing through Olaleye's onomatopoetic wordplay and Grifalconi's clever use of marbling to convey the essence of the elements'wind, fire, and rain. After failing to resolve their argument over who is the greatest, Wind, Fire, and Rain agree to battle on the rainfield to see who will be the last standing. Wind puts on quite a display, until Fire turns the world into a firestorm rushing in all directions. Wind's blowing only makes Fire ``bigger and stronger!'' It falls to Rain to pour water on Fire's parade and claim the prize: ``The gentlest is the greatest.'' Olaleye's text has a lovely musicality about it, and Grifalconi's collages swirl with life and color. Exquisite.
A Nigerian folktale becomes especially appealing through Olaleye's onomatopoetic wordplay and Grifalconi's clever use of marbling to convey the essence of the elements'wind, fire, and rain. After failing to resolve their argument over who is the greatest, Wind, Fire, and Rain agree to battle on the rainfield to see who will be the last standing. Wind puts on quite a display, until Fire turns the world into a firestorm rushing in all directions. Wind's blowing only makes Fire ``bigger and stronger!'' It falls to Rain to pour water on Fire's parade and claim the prize: ``The gentlest is the greatest.'' Olaleye's text has a lovely musicality about it, and Grifalconi's collages swirl with life and color. Exquisite.