On This Beautiful Island

Book excerpt: Ages 4 to 8 years. This storybook is a lyrical and beautifully illustrated account of a day in the life of a Ta-no boy living 500 years ago on the island of Puerto Rico. It gives a child's-eye account of the strong bonds that these ancient people had with the natural world and one another. From poetic descriptions of the morning gathering of the crops to the magic of storytelling by the evening fire with Mother and Father, young readers will discover the rewards of a life lived close to the earth. Children will find additional pleasure in the antics of Tahite, a colourful pet parrot, and in vivid illustrations of the island's inhabitants, from the smallest coqui frog to the mightiest ceiba tree. As readers become enthralled with the workings of the ancient Ta-no culture, a philosophy of strength of community, respect for resources, and the value of friendship will inspire them to enjoy and protect the natural world that surrounds them.