The Legend of the Bluebonnet

dePaola, T.  (1983).  The legend of the bluebonnet.  New York:  G.P. Putnam’s Sons.

A young girl known as She-Who-Is-Alone becomes distraught for her Comanche tribe because they are all suffering from lack of water and food.  To end their suffering, the shaman is told by the Great Spirits that a valued possession must be sacrificed because of his People’s selfishness.   She-Who-Is-Alone decides to sacrifice her doll, which is her only keepsake of her family that died long ago, to the Great Spirits.  To commemorate her sacrifice, her tribe now refers to her as One-Who-Dearly-Loved-Her-People and the Great Spirits cover the hills and valleys every spring with bluebonnets.  dePaola’s use of earthly tones and hues in his stencil-like illustrations capture the cultural heritage of the Comanche with an attention to detail.  The theme of sacrifice and reward trumping selfish acts makes this an excellent read for all elementary and secondary kids, especially those with an interest in Texas tales and folklore.  Many children, teens, and adults will also find this story compelling because it is a young girl, who willingly puts others before herself, that saves her tribe.  This book received the 1984-1985 Texas Bluebonnet Award.