Welcome to the Sparkle Time Giveaway Hop! Be sure to enter my giveaway and hop to the other blogs to enter theirs! Thanks to Amazon Crossing Kids, one of my US or Canadian readers can win a copy of The Caiman! I’m adding a $5 Amazon gift card to the prize as well.
A story of a man who adopts a baby alligator in a small town in Venezuela, told by one of the neighborhood children who knew him. It’s an unusual story that shows how people can be kind, even to creatures that seem scary, and it’s a fascinating window into South American life.
Hosted by MamaTheFox
The Caiman
by María Eugenia Manrique, illus. By Ramón París, translated by Amy Brill
I received this book free; however, all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive compensation at no cost to you.
The Caiman
by María Eugenia Manrique, illus. By Ramón París, translated by Amy Brill
Publisher: Amazon Crossing Kids (July 1, 2021)
Ages 5-8
Publication date: July 1, 2021
Print length: 40 pages
When Faoro the clockmaker adopts a baby alligator, he has no idea that someday their story will travel far and wide. But the town of San Fernando de Apure would never forget this kind young man and his adoring alligator, who played with the neighborhood children, took part in Faoro’s wedding, and, eventually, mourned his loss. Now their story is being shared with the world.
In this delightful picture book first published in Venezuela, the author brings us back to her own childhood in Venezuela, as one of the children who used to visit this famous caiman, to tell the story of a man who loved animals and how his friendship with his alligator sparked a lasting legacy.
Praise
“The striking illustrations…have a wild and whimsical feel about them, featuring lush foliage and expressive characters, including the eventually enormous caiman. It’s a memorable and unexpected demonstration of the universality of love, grief, and kindness.” —Booklist (starred review)
My review of The Caiman
The Caiman is a touching children’s book about a man and his caiman (part of the alligator family). When some neighborhood children find an orphaned baby caiman, they’re not sure what to do with it. Thankfully, a kind, young clockmaker/jeweler from the village comes to the rescue and adopts the caiman.
I thought this story was fascinating, and I think your kids will too. What would you do if you found a baby alligator? Even if I lived in a place where it would be feasible to adopt one, I wouldn’t! I loved getting to know Faoro. His kindness towards animals and people is something we should aspire too. The Caiman includes a very sad incident, but this is a true story. Life includes sad moments. Sharing stories like this with your children gives you the opportunity to talk about grief.
I definitely recommend this lovely book for you and your children!
About the author, illustrator, and translator
María Eugenia Manrique is one of the girls portrayed in this story. She rode the caiman when she visited her family in San Fernando de Apure. Maria was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and currently lives in Barcelona, Spain. She studied fine art in Mexico City, specializing in xylography and engraving; Eastern painting at Nankín University, China; and sumi-e and calligraphy at the Nihon Shuji Kyoiku Zaidan Foundation in Japan. Her work has been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world. The Caiman is her first children’s book.
For more information, visit her website: https://
Instagram: @mem.manrique
Ramón París was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and as a child lived in Barinas, a plains state like Apure, where he also heard the story of the caiman. He currently lives in Barcelona, Spain. Hismost recent book for children, Duermevela, was selected for the Bologna Book Fair Illustrators Exhibition. His books have been recognized with honors including Los Mejores del Banco del Libro and the IBBY Honor List, among others, and they have been translated into numerous languages.
Visit him at: ramon.paris.
Instagram: @ramon_paris_
Amy Brill’s fiction and nonfiction have appeared in numerous publications including the Washington Post, Medium, Real Simple, Oprah.com, and One Story. Her first novel, The Movement of Stars, was published by Riverhead Books. A native New Yorker, Amy lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two daughters.
Enter the giveaway
One lucky winner will receive a copy of The Caiman, courtesy of Amazon Crossing Kids (U.S. and Canada addresses).
MamatheFox and all participating blogs are not held responsible for sponsors who fail to fulfill their prize obligations.
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