Pedro and the Monkey - Hardcover

Robert D. San Souci is the author of many award-winning retellings of legends and folktales for children. He also wrote the screen story for the Walt Disney animated feature Mulan. He lives in the San Francisco Bay area.

Kindergarten-Grade 3?In this Filipino variant of "Puss in Boots," Pedro, a poor farmer, is rewarded for his kindness when he shows mercy to a monkey caught stealing his corn. The wily monkey convinces Don Francisco, a wealthy landowner, to allow Pedro to court his daughter. The young farmer then helps the monkey imprison Burincantada, a monstrous giant who acquired his luxurious estate when he ate the original owners. Pedro wins Maria's heart and hand, and the monkey spends his days happily advising the couple and Don Francisco. In a carefully composed source note, San Souci states that his retelling is a composite of four variants with additional details supplied through his research. The narrative is vivid, expressive, and fun to read aloud, especially when the monkey spins his stories. Hays's acrylic on linen illustrations amplify the story, and the fabric texture adds dimension to the paintings. The artist employs cool pastels and pale golds that are as refreshing as a cold drink on a hot day, and his use of light enhances the paintings, which are as expressive as the text they illustrate. A successful and appealing collaboration.?Donna L. Scanlon, Lancaster County Library, PA
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