Jabutí the Tortoise: A Trickster Tale from the Amazon

Of all the animals in the rain forest, Jabutí was the favorite. His shell was smooth and shiny, and the songs he played on his flute were sweet.
But his music was a reminder, too, of the mischievous pranks Jabutí sometimes played. His song reminded Tapir of being tricked, Jaguar of being fooled, and time and again it reminded Vulture that he had no song at all. When a concert takes place in heaven, Vulture offers to fly Jabutí there . . . all the while plotting a trick of his own.
Gerald McDermott makes myths new again for readers of all ages, using language as vibrant and colorful as his bold illustrations. Jabutí is an unusual tale of a trickster’s fall from grace, and of how creation can sometimes come from chaos.

"A fine addition to the body of work by a proven master."--Kirkus Reviews

"Readers will revel in this whimsical folktale . . . McDermott's words paint beautiful stories and wonderful pictures."--Library Talk

"Color springs from the pages . . . Simply written and well paced, this will make an imaginative read-aloud choice for classroom units on the rain forest."--Booklist

"A simple yet lyrical tale that is as satisfying to hear as it is to read."