How the Leopard Got His Claws

No começo, todos os bichos eram amigos. Eles não tinham garras nem dentes afiados, nem mesmo o rei, o bondoso leopardo. A única exceção era o cachorro, que, com seus caninos pontudos, era motivo de gozação entre os animais. Certo dia, o cão, cheio de rancor, resolveu usar o que tinha de diferente para enfrentar o rei leopardo e se tornar o bicho mais poderoso da selva. E foi assim, a dentadas, que ele derrotou o grande líder, mandando-o para bem longe. Mas o leopardo logo retornaria. Dotado de um rugido ainda mais forte, de garras afiadas e dentes reluzentes, o antigo rei voltou para fazer justiça – e, a partir daí, a vida na selva nunca mais seria a mesma. Nesta parábola sobre a colonização, o escritor nigeriano Chinua show more Achebe fala de libertação e justiça de maneira criativa e acessível para todas as crianças. show less

This fable takes place in Africa. In the beginning, all animals were friends. The leopard was the king of all animals and didn't have big pointy teeth nor claws. After he is attacked and ousted by the Dog, the Jaguar runs to seek help and receives his fangs, claws and the voice of thunder. He returns and kicks out of the shelter everyone had built in his years as king and the Dog runs away to become the slave/pet of a hunter. I love hearing fables and folktales from other cultures. In Guatemala, the Jaguar is very important for Mayan culture. every person in Mayan culture has a Nahual or guardian spirit, and all warriors would wear leopard skins to camouflage in the rainforest of Peten.
I found it really interesting how in this story, show more the antagonist was the dog.

This is the first time I see Mary Grandpre illustrate animals. she gives so much personality to her characters. I love how she uses eyes and eyebrows to really create a realistic human-like facial expression. even if there was no text in the book, you could definitely know what is going on through how she has made this book. show less

A compelling animal fable with powerful political sub-texts from a post-Colonial perspective.

Leopard learns to stand up for himself. Nigerian folktale, nicely told.

Independent Reading Level: Grade 3

because of GR Amy's review, in which she expresses mixed feelings, and because of Candlewick Press, in which I have faith...

FROM PUBLISHER'S INFO:
A Nigerian fable which tells of the happy life the animals of the forest enjoyed under King Leopard, until a sharp-toothed and selfish dog began to terrorise the community. Originally published in Nigeria, and now reissued in Kenya. 6-9