TURTLE KNOWS YOUR NAME

Retold from Parsons' Folklore of the Antilles (1936), a story about delight in the sounds of words and the warm relationship between a boy and his Granny. Upsilimana Tumpalerado has a time learning his own name; when he masters it, he proudly confides in all the animals—especially old Turtle, who lives nearby in the sea. Then it turns out that Granny has a name unknown to the boy: a secret name—even longer than his own—that he eventually learns from Turtle. Full of dancing rhythms and mild humor, the story's message about the value of the inner lives of those we take for granted is quietly understated. Bryan's lovely paintings, in light, bright island colors, swirl with joyous patterns; Granny and her boy are full of love and life. Fine for reading, telling, and sharing; just right to pair with Mosel's Tikki Tikki Tembo.