Nine Animals and the Well

by James Rumford

Who hasn’t gone to a birthday party and had “present envy”? Who hasn’t felt the pride of thinking of just the right gift, only to find out that someone else has thought of a better one? Who hasn’t had to learn the hard way that the greatest gift of all is friendship? This is the lesson the nine animals are about to learn as they make their way to the palace to celebrate the raja-king’s birthday. Why nine animals? And why the well? Because James Rumford’s original fable is also a counting book, where we learn that our ten Arabic numerals came not from Arabia, as one might think, but from India.
With its pictures of paper collage reminiscent of the glorious designs on the walls of the Taj Mahal, Nine Animals and the Well will teach, amuse, and delight.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Friendship, Mathematics, Asia

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 19, 2003

About the author

I have been writing, illustrating, and designing children's books since 1996. I am on the verge of self-publishing through books that are printed on demand and via the internet. For more on my children's books, see my website: http://www.jamesrumford.com. I also have a blog about writing and illustrating children's books at http://www.calabashcat.blogspot.com. Besides commercially published books, I run a private letter press company and do limited-edition, handmade books. See more at http://www.manoapress.com. I am interested in foreign languages and in poetry. See my blog "Horace et al." at http://www.jasrumford.blogspot.com. I live in Honolulu with my wife.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though this has the feel of a classic folktale retelling, it comes strictly from the mind of the author. Nine animals meet on their way to a raja-king's birthday party, and have trouble deciding what would make the perfect gift. At the end of the book, we learn that each animal was inspired by the squiggly shapes of Indian numbers invented fifteen hundred years ago - numbers that have wrongly identified as Arabic numerals.

[Misbah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book to teach children about what matters most in friendship.

A group of animals going to a party held by their friend a raja-king, obsess over what would be the best present for him. Every time they find something better looking they discard their previous gifts. In the end they lose the last gifts they had and have to go to the party empty handed. The king is a good person so he doesn't comment on the lack of gifts and welcomes the group with open arms. They have fun and realize the importance of being genuine, a gift that's better than anything else.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Animals learn what is really important

[Joanna Marple · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am indebted to my writing friend, Diana, for introducing me earlier this year on her blog to this talented author/illustrator. This story is based on a counting book fable. We discover that our ten Arabic numerals actually come from India, and not Arabia, as one might expect.

Children will be intrigued already on page one, where James has written the digits 1-0 as they do in Europe, North Africa, Arabia and India, showing their progressive origins. Page 3 evokes the senses with the beginning, “In the long-ago, rose-fragrant, animal-talking days….”. What opening skill!

With the listeners, we go on a counting journey as different animals join the road to the young raja-king’s birthday party. Each has brought, what he believes, the perfect gift for the young raja. Each newcomer disparages the previous gift and offers to share their ‘perfect’ gift, which they just happen to have in the increasing number required. So, for example, Cobra-jee is the sixth animal to join the procession. He poo-poos the five others glowing flowers, for the raja is already swimming in lotus! He proposes to share his SIX spools of silk ribbon, which the others happily agree to, casting aside their flowers. The collage illustrations are vibrant and very Indian and each time the animals toss their unwanted gifts aside, there is another animal ready to scoop them up with gratitude. Nothing is wasted.

Peacock is the ninth animal and proposes the ultimate of gifts. However, here by the well, outside the palace, tragedy strikes the party group and it appears they will arrive gift-less and embarrassed to the festivities. They need not have feared, for their prince is bountiful and wise and understands that friendship and stories are the sweetest of gifts! James’ text is as poetic as his artwork and this is a heartwarming and fun retelling of the ancient fable.

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book fable tells the story of nine animals who wish to bring their friend a fantastic gift but end up realizing that their friendship is gift enough. The book could also be considered a counting book that gives a very brief history of the transfer of numbers across cultures.

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fable about nine animals going to a raja king's birthday party and the presents they want to bring him.

Illustrations were not that interesting.