Zomo The Rabbit: A Trickster Tale From West Africa facts for kids
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Author | Gerald McDermott |
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Illustrator | Gerald McDermott |
Country | USA |
Language | English |
Genre | Children's literature, picture book, Trickster tale, African folklore |
Published | 1992 (Harcourt Brace Jovanovich) |
Media type | Print (hardback) |
ISBN | 9780152999674 |
OCLC | 23693546 |
Zomo The Rabbit is a popular children's book from 1992, written and illustrated by Gerald McDermott. This book tells a fun story based on an old Nigerian folktale. It explains in a clever way why the rabbit is known for being so incredibly fast when it runs from other animals.
Contents
About Zomo The Rabbit
The book Zomo The Rabbit introduces us to Zomo, a small but very smart rabbit. Zomo wants to gain wisdom, which means he wants to be very knowledgeable and understanding. To do this, he has to complete three difficult tasks set by the Sky God. These tasks are tricky and seem almost impossible for a little rabbit.
What is a Trickster Tale?
Zomo The Rabbit is a type of story called a trickster tale. In these tales, the main character, often an animal, uses their cleverness and tricks to get what they want or to solve problems. They might not be the strongest or the biggest, but they are always the smartest! Zomo is a great example of a trickster because he uses his quick thinking to outsmart bigger, stronger animals.
Why Zomo Runs So Fast
The story of Zomo helps explain a common question: Why do rabbits run so fast? In the tale, Zomo's adventures and the challenges he faces make him run, jump, and move quickly. By the end of his journey, he has become incredibly swift. This folktale gives a fun and imaginative reason for a rabbit's speed, making it a memorable part of the story.
Awards and Recognition
Zomo The Rabbit has won several important awards since it was published. These awards show that the book is highly respected by teachers, librarians, and readers. Winning an award means a book is considered excellent and worth reading. Here are some of the awards it received:
- 1993 National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Adventuring with Books book
- 1993-94 Alabama (Camellia) Children's Choice Picture Book Award - winner
- 1994 Anne Izard Storytellers' Choice Award - winner
- 1994 Florida Reading Association Children's Book Award - winner
- 1994 NCTE Kaleidoscope book
- 1996 Montana Treasure State Picture Book Award - winner
- 1996 Young Hoosier Picture Book Award - winner
These awards highlight the book's success and its lasting appeal to young readers.