Rain Player [Chinese Language Version]

by David Wisniewski

The ancient Mayan belief that the future was divinely decreed and could not be changed is the basis for this original tale of a boy who must defeat the Rain God in a ball game to save his people from disaster. Mayan art and architecture were the inspiration for the spectacular cut-paper artwork.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, History, Mythology, Folk Tales, Folklore, Animals

Hardcover

First published September 23, 1991

About the author

David R. Wisniewski was an American writer and illustrator best known for children's books.

He attended the University of Maryland, College Park but quit after one semester to join the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College, graduating in 1973. He worked for several years as a clown before moving to Maryland and joining the Prince George's Country Puppet Theatre where he met his wife Donna Harris. In 1980, they started the Clarion Puppet Theatre (later known as the Clarion Shadow Theatre) which toured in schools, theaters and at the Smithsonian. After his children were born, he become a full-time author/ illustrator, using layers of cut paper to illustrate children's books. His book Golem, won the 1997 Caldecott Medal.

In his acceptance speech, he said of himself: "I am a self-taught artist and writer who depends on instincts developed through years of circus and puppet performance to guide a story's structure and look."

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This feel-good story of a mortal besting a god is overshadowed by Wisniewski's astounding artwork - layers and layers of cut paper make this:



Hint - you might need to look up some of the pronunciations in the back if you're going to be reading this one aloud.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

What might it have been like to have been Mayan? Or to have lived under their accurately abnormal calendar? Although not fully giving the reader a true sense of Mayan identity it is a good stepping stone for those who may be interested or those who need a bit of a cultural change in their reading no matter what their age may be.

Although it doesn't explore the full aspect of Mayan life and what it may have been like the reader is introduced to one of the sports they participate in, the famous calendar, one of the Gods, special animals and even some details such as clothing. Furthermore although the illustrator has acknowledged that the art isn't truly 100% it is a good nod to the actual drawings that can be seen within Mayan artifacts.

I do want to give a warning to adult readers though. Although the illustrations aren't your normal type they do have a dark and somewhat intimidating side to them. Really young children who are susceptible to nightmares may be better steered away from the book until they are older and better able to take it into concept since the artwork can be truly scary-like.

Otherwise a decent book and one that can be possibly fun to read during really hot days or even when a summer storm is gathering in the distance.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read this as part of our ancient American study of the Mayans. The boys really liked it. The illustrations are superb and bring a lot to the story.

The story itself is sensational, as are most legends/fairy tales, but that's what makes it fun.

Valuable addition to study for the Mayan culture. It makes it very easy for the little ones to feel involved too.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good re-telling of a myth, but the pictures are simply AMAZING! It is truly astounding how much life and movement and expression and action and detail the author archived with an exacto knife and construction paper.

I would easily place the story on par with any comic-book super hero action 3-D film in theaters. Hands down.

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked it up because of the cover and I am happy to say that the whole book is equally magnificent. I love cut paper artwork, and this is some of the best I have seen. The story deserves mention, also, since it should be of interest to anybody who used to be a boy called upon to go beyond himself.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great take on a Mayan folktale where a young man who is a pok a tok player, is frustrated by a drought caused by the Choc, the god of rain. If Pik, the young man, beats Choc in the game, Choc will allow it to rain. Through a tough trial and a exciting game, someone wins.

[Judy W · Rating 3 out of 5]

More amazing paper-cut artwork. Mayan story with god(s). A little hard to catch on to at first - more for middle to older elementary.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't read my students Golem, so I read them this instead. They were absolutely transfixed, and so was I. We reread this book nearly three times during our library class. :)

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every single one of Wisniewski's books is stunning.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Wisneiewski's illustration style, and it fits this book wonderfully. An original tale inspired by Mayan legends, I do wonder what the Maya would think of it, but as a story, it is enjoyable.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read this as a supplement to our American History studies. It was a wonderful insight into other cultures. My kids enjoyed it.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated, nicely structured and engaging story, built around a real Mayan game.

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite Incubus songs, "Wish You Were Here", has a lovely lyric that goes "The ocean looks like a thousand diamonds / strewn across a blue blanket" - and this book really reminds me of that. Minus the shirtless, angsty Brandon Boyd, the images in this gorgeous cautionary tale of mortal vs. god appear to be cut out, painstakingly arranged, and then pasted - or strewn, if you will - across white, green, and black "blankets" (backgrounds). The icing to the literary cake is the wealth of information in the afterword about all things Mayan - whether it's pronunciation of the game pok-a-tok, illumination about the importance of Quetzals, or even just defining what a cenote is. A young, athletic braggart learns his lesson, assisted by mother nature, and ends up saving his city from devastating drought. Though the story is simple and straightforward, and I enjoyed it, whatever you may find lacking in it is more than made up for by 1) did I mention the art? and 2) a jaguar.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review by Willow (age 10)
This Maya legend is an engaging book and aimed at children aged 6-11, but many ages can enjoy it. This book is based on many different themes: perseverance, courage and optimism. It has lots of strong points, but for me, the mosaic artwork struck me first. It is very abstract and different as it is cut from different coloured paper. I would recommend this brilliant book to teachers who want their children to succeed in Maya history and for people who like action stories.

Pik is a brave Maya boy and tries to save his civilisation from being engulfed in a year of drought. Will he succeed or will he be defeated and turn into a frog? If you are interested, why not buy this amazing book and explore it for yourself?

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indigenous cultures throughout the Americas have rituals, routines, customs, and ceremony to bring the rain. This picture book pulls readers away from the trope of a rain dance. In this cultural legend, one has to appeal humbly and righteously to nature to bring the rain that nourishes the corn, and thereby nourishes life.
The illustrations are gorgeous.

[Marly Uncapher · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book would be good to introduce Mayan culture to students. I did not enjoy the book as much as some of the other books I have read. It was very long for a picture book and had a lot of language that may not be comprehendible for the younger audience that it was intended for.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children's fiction written in the tone and feel of a Mayan myth. The author was clever in using different customs of the Mayans. At the end of the book he included a notes page that discussed the actual event or tradition or practice of the people that he incorporated into a story.

[John Atherstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are remarkable, and really bring the story to life. The story is a Mayan legend, and also just a really fun, dramatic tale. This book would be very useful for teaching children about that culture. And you could have brilliant art lessons off the back of the unique illustrations.

[Marilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mayan tale of drought and determination

[R. G. Nairam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wish more of Wisniewski's books were actual folktales like /Golem/! These "original tales based on folklore" are cool and all, but there's a lot less cultural value to them.

[Malory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bit hard to understand for younger children, but the beautiful pictures held my kids captive. I would definitely read this again for our Mayan study.

[Anneke Alnatour · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the artwork in this one!
The text was a bit too dry for me, but the kids didn't mind. We read this story a couple of times, and still enjoyed it!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good 👍 book fictional but cool it's not my thing

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful artwork and so rich in Mayan culture. So, so glad we got to read this one!

[Lara Lleverino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated ancient Maya folktale

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this would be a one-time read to go with a chapter of our ancient history textbook. Instead my 8yo has read this multiple times and will read it aloud to anyone who will listen.

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautiful pictures accompany an adaptation of an original Mayan story ~ the author also adds history info in notes that expanded the learning for our history lesson

[Dollytomp]

I think this was a good story. When Pik (a ball player) went against the God his father did like that nor did his friends. Pik was claiming that things would be different if he was the God and "tell Chac to get to work". His father gave him a jaguar tooth to make him fierce, a quetzal feather for silent speed, and the water of the sacred cenote. This would help his challenge with the God to pok-a-tok and if he wins there will be no more drought. Pik won his challenge and became known as the Rain Player. The artwork was great in this book too.

[Mandee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rain Player
Summary: A book based on Ancient Mayan belief that the future cannot be changed. This boy, Pik, must defeat the Rain God in a ball game to keep a disaster from occurring.
Art Media: Cut paper artwork
Art Style: Expressionism in that the artist communicates feelings through the illustrations.
Specific Notes: This book also taught that you should be humble so as not to offend. Lots of movement and expression that really evoke feelings and ideas of the story.

[Mitchell Ary · Rating 3 out of 5]

i liked this book for the illustration and the emotions evoked. this was a g rated children epic tale. one where the reader can empathize with the main character and feel as if they are joining him on his quest. the text wasn't to impressive but i might crack this book open again some day if i see it and look at the illustrations because they were the best part of the book.