MAGIC DOGS OF THE VOLCANOES

by Manlio Argueta ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 30, 1990

In his first book for children, a well-known Salvadoran author incorporates the folkloric ""cadejos"" (magic dogs) into a story in the Latin American tradition of using fantasy to explore more realistic truths. Here, the cadejos protect the people who live on the slopes of two volcanoes. The rich men who own the land send lead soldiers (""their hearts and brains. . .even their feet are made of lead"") to exterminate the dogs, but the personified volcanoes are able to apply enough heat (literally) to frighten the soldiers, who decide to ""devote themselves to professions more worthy than soldiering."" Simmons's vigorous art, recalling Mexican painting of the 1930's, is the perfect complement to this powerfully symbolic, satisfying tale; she deals with its more challenging details (e.g., a volcano clothed in a hat and a dress) with commendable ingenuity. The text is given in both Spanish and English.

Pub Date: Dec. 30, 1990

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Children's Book Press

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 1990

Categories: CHILDREN'S