TURTLE SONGS

A Fijian princess and her daughter paddle through the green and glassy sea, to the far reef to catch fish in this reworking of several myths from Wolfson (Marriage of the Rain Goddess, 1996). They are carried off by men intent on populating another island. The princess and her daughter sing to the sea god, who intervenes, causing a storm that capsizes the canoe. The heroines tumble into the sea where they are turned into sea turtles. They explain to grieving friends back home that they are happy in the sea, and will come when the people sing. The watercolors feature a riotous display of palm trees, frolicking sea turtles, fish, and islanders; these scenes capture the spirit of the myth better than the somewhat stilted text that lacks most of the poetry of Wolfson’s previous book. (Picture book/folklore. 6-9)