The Elephant and the Whale
Children’s book, telling a Louisiana Black-Creole folk tale. The story is available in several formats and also as a bundle. Please choose from the popup menu.
“One morning, Compair Lapin and Compair Bouki (Brother Rabbit and Brother Hyena) went on a long journey. They did not know where they would go and would let the road surprise them. As they walked along the road Lapin began to play his drum, and Bouki danced to the rhythm and sang about the things they saw.”
What is greater? Strength or wisdom? What is better? Being big or being small? Lapin and Bouki find the answers to these questions when they meet an elephant and a whale who plan to rule all the animals.
With whimsical words and colorful illustrations, this book is a unique retelling of a classic story in African-American folklore. Through its pages readers will meet the infamous Compair Lapin, also known as Br’er Rabbit, and learn about the Black-Creole culture of south Louisiana.
Additional information
| Weight | 378 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 21.5 × 21.5 × 0.9 cm |
| Language | English |
| Book type | Hard cover |
| Age group | 4–10 years old |
| ISBN | 978-3-033-08748-4 |
| Type | Hardcover book, Audio book and PDF, Bundle Hardcover, Audio and PDF |
We accompany a Rabbit – Compair Lapin and a Hyena – Compair Bouki on an adventure of cunning and wisdom.
“The Elephant and the Whale” revives a centuries old “animal” tale — passed down to us across generations — that had traveled from the Senegambia with the enslaved Wolof people, across the Atlantic, to “La Louisiane” in “La Nouvelle-France”.
A beautiful, touching, teaching, easy-to-understand book that is a blend of Africa, Louisiana, French, Black-Creole, American, wisdom and cunning, reviving and saving this important gem of an enslaved people’s history and culture.
“The Elephant and the Whale” is beautiful, too, in that the author has also illustrated the folktale with his own paintings that excellently capture the ‘esprit’ of “African” (n.b., I know the hugeness of the continent, so I hesitate here a bit to generalize to this extent…) art.
It is wonderful to hear the background of the story and its connection to the author’s family.
Too, the excerpts of Black-Creole of the story in its original form are linguistically very interesting to read, and compare to modern French, and imagine them in one’s mind’s-ears, being spoken.
Appropriate for both children and adults.
I like the book. The legend about the two brothers is interesting, and I liked how the French words are mixed in. I love the artwork.
Scotty’s story captures the imagination and conveys wisdom for children and adults alike. My daughter’s new favorite book!….and one of those books that mom and dad can enjoy while reading along.
Wonderful story. Bought the book for my niece and nephews. Scotty is an amazing storyteller, and I’m glad to see that he is putting the folklore of the Black-Creole communities of Louisiana into writing for future generations to enjoy and transmit to their children and children’s children. Thanks to Scotty these folk story gems will not be lost.
The delivery went smoothless and I much enjoyed reading this beautiful
book!
Thank you so much for having shared your journey about this book and Ian is a very blessed boy!
Will read with my nephew shortly.
James Ellerbee
Excellence in both packaging and content. Each page is creatively illustrated with beautiful images and colors that remind me of my larger heritage . This is definitely the beginning of a great collection that will grace my home.
With great anticipation, I joyfully read this beautifully, vividly illustrated book.
What a great story – providing powerful messages of wisdom and friendship.
I have used the book with early reader students.
The double spacing of the text allows for clarity.
Well done Scotty! I look forward to the next folklore book!
Yesterday I received the package – beautifully done. The book is stunning. A lovely story for both adults and kids.