The Magic Callaloo

by Trish Cooke (Author) Sophie Bass (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

Set in a vibrant Caribbean landscape, this modern retelling of "Rapunzel" melds stunning art with a story inspired by tales of enslaved Africans following secret paths to freedom.

Long, long ago in a village far, far away there grew a callaloo plant whose leaves made wishes come true. The villagers tenderly cared for their beloved callaloo, until one day, a greedy, selfish man wished to have the plant all to himself. In that village lived a husband and wife who desperately longed for a child, but without the callaloo to grant their wish, they remained childless. So when a wise old woman appeared from nowhere and told them how to find the plant, they bravely fought dragons and snakes until they reached the last remaining leaf, and their wish for a child finally came true. But as often happens in tales of magic, wishes are only the beginning . . .

Creating a world of vivid Caribbean colors, Trish Cooke and Sophie Bass nurture and sow a contemporary retelling of "Rapunzel" sure to leave readers entranced. More about the practice of weaving patterns into cornrowed hair to function as maps leading to freedom can be found in a compelling note from the author.

 

Select format:
Hardcover
$18.99

Publishers Weekly

Per an author's note, Cooke "pays homage to my ancestors and the roads they walked for freedom" in this "Rapunzel"-reminiscent telling. "Long, long ago, Somewhere far, far away," the leaves of a callaloo tree grant wishes to a small village's residents, who "had everything they needed and everything they wanted." When a greedy man from the village desires "ALL for himself," he steals the tree and wishes for extravagances, neglecting the plant until only one leaf remains. When a couple who wish for a child are told where the leaf is, they bravely retrieve it, wishing upon it for a child who is born with "luscious Afro curly locks" that grow "far and wide" under their care. The child--Lou--is kidnapped and exploited for years by the evil man, who cuts her hair until a wise old woman persuades him to let her braid it. The intricate patterns ("marked with tenderness") form a map for Lou to find her way home, where a tiny seed falls from her. Bass's vibrant gouache illustrations conjure a lush and fanciful landscape, befitting this moving work that twines magic, map, and story. Characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 3-7. (Sept.)

Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Trish Cooke
Trish Cooke is the author of So Much! illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, as well as many other books for children. She is also a playwright who has created various retellings and adaptations of children's fairy tales, including the Olivier Award-nominated Cinderella. Trish Cooke lives in northern England.

Sophie Bass is the illustrator of Windrush Child, written by John Agard. She draws inspiration from her mixed British and Trinidadian heritage and from music, social justice, mythology, and symbolism. She works by hand, employing traditional techniques with gouache and pen to create contemporary images characterized by strong figures, vivid colors, and a distinctive style. Sophie Bass lives and works in London.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781536235579
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Candlewick Press (MA)
Publication date
September 03, 2024
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV037000 - Juvenile Fiction | Fantasy & Magic
JUV012040 - Juvenile Fiction | Fairy Tales & Folklore | Adaptations
JUV030040 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | Caribbean & Latin America
Library of Congress categories
-

Subscribe to our delicious e-newsletter!