Legend of the Bluebonnet: An Old Tale of Texas ANNOTATION
A retelling of the Comanche Indian legend of how a little girl's sacrifice brought the flower called bluebonnet to Texas.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Thick clusters of vivid blue flowers, which resemble old-fashioned sunbonnets, cover the Texas hills in the springtime every year. These lovely wild flowers, known by the name of bluebonnet, are the state flower of Texas, This favorite legend based on Comanche Indian lore, tell the story of how the bluebonnet came to be.
FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature - Debra Briatico
Tomie dePaola provides a charming retelling of the Native American legend about the origin of Texas' state flower, the bluebonnet. In this tale, the Comanche People experience drought and famine as a result of their selfish acts against the Earth. In order to restore life to the Earth, they must make a burnt offering of their most valued possession. One night after everyone is in bed, a young girl named "She-Who-Is-Alone" burns her most precious possession, a warrior doll, and scatters the ashes to the North, South, East, and West. When she awakens from her nightly sleep, the young Indian girl finds herself surrounded by beautiful blue flowers and a lush green Earth. As the People celebrate, the rains return and they praise the sacrifice of the young girl, whose name becomes "One-Who-Dearly-Loved-Her-People."
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