The Legend of the Bluebonnet

 DePaola, T. (1983). The Legend of the Bluebonnet: An Old Tale of Texas. New York, NY: Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers.

This is a folktale is about how the great state of Texas came to have bluebonnets and some believe that it was the sacrifice that created a sea of bluebonnets that we see in the early spring time. It all started with a group of Native Americans who are experiencing a terrible drought and many of the people are dying of thirst and starvation. It's during this time a little girl, She-Who-Is-Alone, is observing the hardship of her people and she thinks about her parents and grandparents who died because of the drought and famine. She listens to the Shaman of the tribe explaining that the Great Spirits say the people have been selfish and they must make a sacrifice their most valued possessions in order to end the drought and famine. The members of the tribe seem reluctant to do what the Great Spirits have asked except She-Who-Is-Alone knows she must sacrifice her one and only doll that her parents made for her in order to end this drought and famine. She bravely makes the sacrifice and prays that the Great Spirits will expect her offering. Find out if the Great Spirits accepted the offering and what happened afterwards.

This story has been one of my favorites since I was a little girl, and now that I'm a teacher I keep a copy of this story for my students to read. It's quite special and many young readers will enjoy this tale. Another aspect that I liked is the illustrations that Tomie DePaloa does to tell the story.