The Red Comb

by Fernando Picó, Argentina Palacios Ziegler

In mid-nineteenth-century Puerto Rico, an old woman and a young village girl conspire to prevent the capture of a runaway African slave.

46 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Melvin Rodríguez-Rodríguez]

Excelente ficción histórica para los más pequeños, con una buenas historia y personajes entrañables, en la que una niña negra descubre una cimarrona y cómo reacciona el barrio ante los rumores de que se esconde una escapada entre ellos, a la vez que un hombre afamado por atrapar cimarrones ronda el barrio. Aparte de disfrutar la trama emocionante y que la protagonista sea una niña con la que el público infantil rápido se podrá sentir identificado, el libro se presta para discusiones profundas sobre la historia de Puerto Rico, los mitos escritores por los vencedores y repetidos como historia, los conflictos raciales y económicos, la otredad, la supervivencia y valores como la libertad, la astucia y sobre todo, la muy necesaria solidaridad.

[Stacy Slater]

Capturing escaped slaves makes Pedro Calderon a wealthy man and the envy of many in his village. But Sina Rosa reminds them that many of them had ancestors who were also escaped slaves, and they should be helping those who run from oppression. One young girl listens, and when she discovers a runaway slave seeks out Sina Rosa for advice. Together, they outwit Pedro Calderon to make a better life for the unfortunate woman.

Here's a book that teaches valuable lessons about following the golden rule without being preachy or didactic. A more subtle message is one of remembering where our roots lie -- what was viewed as rebellion from one perspective was also viewed as liberation from another. This picture book is more sophisticated than some and would probably be most appropriate for students in grades 2 through 4.

[Lisa Frase]

Today I read The Red Comb by Fernando Pico aloud to my fourth graders. The story is set in 19th Century Puerto Rico, so I pulled out the map to show my students where Puerto Rico is located (the smallest, most eastern island in the Greater Antilles. I confess I know little about this self-governing commonwealth territory under the United States. The story was an eye-opening cultural experience for all of us.

The Red Comb is about a young girl and an older woman who work together to help a runaway slave. The text is slightly cumbersome in some places, but there is a wealth of opportunity to teach vocabulary, history, and culture through this book.

Overall it's good book to use to introduce another time and place in our history.

[Sandra Y.]

The Red Comb by Fernando Pico is a story set in 19th Century Puerto Rico, which deals with topic of slavery. In specific it deals with a young girl, and an older woman who together hide a runaway slave. Overall I thought it was an interesting approach at looking into another time and culture. I would recommend this book for late third grade and up.

[Helen Jeffries]

A good book for older elementary students. A good multicultural book.