How the Peacock Got Its Feathers
Traditional Latin American (Mayan) Tale retold by Sandy Sepehri
Illustrator: Brian Demeter
Grade Level: 2-6
Genre: Traditional Literature
Awards: none
Summary: This story tells the Mayan tale of how the peacock got its beautiful feathers. Within this etiological myth is the message of humility. One bird became so caught up in becoming the new leader of their village that they allowed pride to influence their actions. They stole the current leaders headdress in order to show that they were the most worth bird to lead. The peacock warned this bird of their wrongdoing and encouraged them to return the headdress. When the leader found out, he took back the headdress and turned the bird into a bland bird lacking any color as a consequence. Because the peacock showed the most conviction and humility, the leader decided to award the peacock with a beautiful tale of feathers.
Evaluation: This was a good, quick read. It was interesting to read the Mayan's tale on why a peacock has such beautiful feathers. This is a book I might try to have on my shelf because a lot of students seem fascinated by mythology in middle school.
The age appropriateness is between second and sixth grade. The vocabulary isn't too difficult and the book includes definitions of unique words used in the story.
You could use this book when discussing different works of mythology. You could show the different myths people believed and how the tale/myth was told first through oral tradition. You could also use this book when introducing the term "etiological myth."
Summary: This story tells the Mayan tale of how the peacock got its beautiful feathers. Within this etiological myth is the message of humility. One bird became so caught up in becoming the new leader of their village that they allowed pride to influence their actions. They stole the current leaders headdress in order to show that they were the most worth bird to lead. The peacock warned this bird of their wrongdoing and encouraged them to return the headdress. When the leader found out, he took back the headdress and turned the bird into a bland bird lacking any color as a consequence. Because the peacock showed the most conviction and humility, the leader decided to award the peacock with a beautiful tale of feathers.
Evaluation: This was a good, quick read. It was interesting to read the Mayan's tale on why a peacock has such beautiful feathers. This is a book I might try to have on my shelf because a lot of students seem fascinated by mythology in middle school.
The age appropriateness is between second and sixth grade. The vocabulary isn't too difficult and the book includes definitions of unique words used in the story.
You could use this book when discussing different works of mythology. You could show the different myths people believed and how the tale/myth was told first through oral tradition. You could also use this book when introducing the term "etiological myth."
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