32 pages; Ages 4-7
Scholastic Press; $15.95
ISBN 0-590-89828-0
There was a time when Bamba the Crocodile took a
pilgrimage with his family. Hungry and tired, and far from
the river, Bamba begged a passing hunterman to return
them to their home in the water.
"Mook!" said the hunterman. "You crocodiles are very well
known for biting people in the river. I will not take the
chance."
But through some surprising turns of fate, the hunterman
finds himself deep in the river with his hands between
Bamba's great jaws. Unfortunately, man has not always
been so good to the earth, and neither plant nor creature
will come to his rescue.
With humor and affection, Wagué masterfully retells a tale
that is steeped in the voices and spirits of his own
ancestors. And his bold, ceramic-tile paintings breathe
new life and vigor into this age-old tale that teaches us the
importance of living among not above all things.