Rigoberta Menchú with Dante Liano, illustrated by Domi, translated by David Unger,
The Honey Jar
Groundwood Books, 2006.

Rating: E*

Author, Rigoberta Menchú, won a Nobel Peace Prize (1992) for her activist work in support of the Mayan Indians in Guatemala. She continues her work today for human and indigenous peoples rights.

In this delightful collection, the author returns to her childhood and relates ancient Mayan myths exactly as her grandparents told them to her. Many are creation stories, illustrating how the Mayans came to develop their understanding of the world. The myth, Where It’s Revealed That Each Thing Has a Spirit, discusses the Spirit of the Universe or Creator. According to this tale, whenever someone violates nature’s laws they must apologize to the Creator by making an offering, often candles, flowers or lots of honey, hence the title of this collection. Young readers and listeners will delight in the humorous tale, Where It Is Told That Monkeys Are Descended From Humans, as well as learning the antics of the twins - Twins Make Holes in Your Clothes and Send Ants. For young students, hearing these tales read aloud will add interest. Older students studying the Mayan culture should find these myths an important link.

Enhancing the text are the original oil paintings by Domi, a well-known Mexican artist. The colours are vivid and brilliant, evoking a tropical atmosphere, and the simple images should appeal to all readers. Each myth is accompanied by a full-page painting, adding to the interpretation. An informative glossary is also included as well as a table of contents.

This text should prove a valuable addition to an elementary school library collection.

Thematic Links: Mythology; Mayan Culture; Creation Stories; Animal Stories

Carolyn Cutt
Vol. 11, number 5
June 2006

*Rating System:
E - Excellent, enduring, everyone should see it!
G - Good, even great at times, generally useful!
A - Average, all right, has its applications.
P - Problematic, puzzling, poorly presented.