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El Zipitio
Zipitio is older than the rocks, even older than the river, but he doesn’t seem old. He is only as big as a child. He wears a tall black hat and has a round shiny stomach. His feet point backwards and his toes sport long pointy nails, and when you look at him you don’t know if he is coming or going. But there is no real need to be afraid of him. He hides down by the river. The only time you will see him is when he falls in love.
Rufina Pérez is a young Nahua girl of the Pipil people in Salvador. Her mother wants her to be prepared in case Zipitio appears to her down by the river, now that she is becoming so pretty and grown-up.
Sure enough, the next time Rufina goes down to the river, there he is. Rufina runs away and leaves Zipitio crying of a broken heart. But Rufina’s mother is wise. She knows that Zipitio has fallen in love with every young woman in the village. She knows that there is nothing to fear.
Best of all, she knows how to help Rufina deal with Zipitio’s love.
Rufina Pérez is a young Nahua girl of the Pipil people in Salvador. Her mother wants her to be prepared in case Zipitio appears to her down by the river, now that she is becoming so pretty and grown-up.
Sure enough, the next time Rufina goes down to the river, there he is. Rufina runs away and leaves Zipitio crying of a broken heart. But Rufina’s mother is wise. She knows that Zipitio has fallen in love with every young woman in the village. She knows that there is nothing to fear.
Best of all, she knows how to help Rufina deal with Zipitio’s love.
- GenresPicture Books
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 10, 2003
1 person is currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Jorge Argueta
45 books24 followersJorge Argueta is a celebrated award-winning poet and author of many highly acclaimed bilingual children's books and short stories, covering themes related to Latino culture and traditions, nature, and the immigrant experience.
A native Salvadoran and Pipil Nahua Indian, Jorge spent much of his childhood in rural El Salvador. He immigrated to the United States in the 1980s during the Salvadoran Civil War.
Jorge lives in San Francisco, California.
A native Salvadoran and Pipil Nahua Indian, Jorge spent much of his childhood in rural El Salvador. He immigrated to the United States in the 1980s during the Salvadoran Civil War.
Jorge lives in San Francisco, California.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 21, 2018
A unique folktale that works on multiple levels. Beautiful illustrations.
February 7, 2022
La bibliotecaria de la escuela le da un libro a los niños semanalmente. Esta semana le tocó a mi pequeña de 3 años este libro. La ilustración es hermosa pero la historia es horrible. Deberían quitar este tipo de libros de las escuelas.¿Cómo es posible que una madre aconseje a su hija permanecer sumisa sin hacer nada cuando alguien la está acosando? Este libro tiene un mensaje subliminal. ¿Cómo una madre va a decir que cuando una niña se vuelve mujer el zipitio es el que quiere ser el primero (primer novio que uno tenga)? ¿El autor cree que lo que escribió en su libro es correcto? Al parecer habla del periodo de una mujer pero al final no se sabe si es así o no porque no tiene nada claro.
August 21, 2024
Esta versión del cuento popular de El Cipitio (Zipitio) es bastante diferente a aquella con la que crecí. Cuando era niña, mis padres me hablaban de la entidad infantil embaucadora que sigue y secuestra a niñas.
Es una criatura obsesiva que acecha a la niña hasta que se la lleva, y ella desaparece para no volver a ser vista nunca más.
En la versión que me enseñaron mis padres, era que a esta criatura no le gustan las situaciones ni las personas desagradables, y me decían "Si el Cipitio te lleva dile que estás comiendo y yendo al baño al mismo tiempo y te deja ir disgustado por tus acciones".
Además, el Cipitio está destinado a ser un niño que nunca envejece y está atrapado entre las edades de 8 y 10 años.
Pero la versión de este libro es bastante diferente y muy problemática. Verá, que la madre le diga a su hija que no se resista a sus insinuaciones y que él es inofensivo no es un buen mensaje para las mujeres jóvenes.
Esta idea daría a las niñas la impresión de que debemos aceptar cualquier acción de los hombres porque son "inofensivos".
En la versión con la que crecí, era más bien una advertencia para que tuviéramos cuidado con nuestro entorno. Al menos, así es como mis padres nos lo plantearon a mis hermanos y a mí. El Cipitio era una criatura de molestia y miedo porque podía alejarnos de nuestra familia, hogares y amigos.
Entonces no me gustó mucho esta interpretación.
Sin embargo, lo que si me gustó es el estilo de arte. Fue absolutamente encantador y me gustaría ver más obras del artista.
2 estrellas simplemente por la obra de arte. La historia, no merece ni una.
Es una criatura obsesiva que acecha a la niña hasta que se la lleva, y ella desaparece para no volver a ser vista nunca más.
En la versión que me enseñaron mis padres, era que a esta criatura no le gustan las situaciones ni las personas desagradables, y me decían "Si el Cipitio te lleva dile que estás comiendo y yendo al baño al mismo tiempo y te deja ir disgustado por tus acciones".
Además, el Cipitio está destinado a ser un niño que nunca envejece y está atrapado entre las edades de 8 y 10 años.
Pero la versión de este libro es bastante diferente y muy problemática. Verá, que la madre le diga a su hija que no se resista a sus insinuaciones y que él es inofensivo no es un buen mensaje para las mujeres jóvenes.
Esta idea daría a las niñas la impresión de que debemos aceptar cualquier acción de los hombres porque son "inofensivos".
En la versión con la que crecí, era más bien una advertencia para que tuviéramos cuidado con nuestro entorno. Al menos, así es como mis padres nos lo plantearon a mis hermanos y a mí. El Cipitio era una criatura de molestia y miedo porque podía alejarnos de nuestra familia, hogares y amigos.
Entonces no me gustó mucho esta interpretación.
Sin embargo, lo que si me gustó es el estilo de arte. Fue absolutamente encantador y me gustaría ver más obras del artista.
2 estrellas simplemente por la obra de arte. La historia, no merece ni una.
October 13, 2023
Well... This was one of the most disturbing stories I've ever read.
Let's get one thing straight, this is NOT a "traditional" or a "folk" tale from Latin America. Although we have so many similar stories all around Latin America, these kinds of stories have developed over 500 centuries since the violent theft, colonization, and genocide of Indigenous Peoples of this continent.
This is a story that keeps normalizing the sexual harassment of Indigenous young girls who are most vulnerable in the countryside due to the lack of access to security and justice. This book normalizes men catcalling girls.
"The Zipitio appears to all girls who are about to become women"
"He wants to be your first boyfriend"
"It's impossible not to be afraid of him, especially because of the way he looks at you"
"Try not to run away otherwise it will be worse"
And although later in the book the author intends to portray Zipitio as the first period a girl is having, the whole metaphor of a natural cycle being portrayed as an old man "who just wants to love young girls" is gross and scary.
The art is incredibly gorgeous, kudos to Gloria Calderón, although she really doesn't deserve to illustrate such awful stories...
Let's get one thing straight, this is NOT a "traditional" or a "folk" tale from Latin America. Although we have so many similar stories all around Latin America, these kinds of stories have developed over 500 centuries since the violent theft, colonization, and genocide of Indigenous Peoples of this continent.
This is a story that keeps normalizing the sexual harassment of Indigenous young girls who are most vulnerable in the countryside due to the lack of access to security and justice. This book normalizes men catcalling girls.
"The Zipitio appears to all girls who are about to become women"
"He wants to be your first boyfriend"
"It's impossible not to be afraid of him, especially because of the way he looks at you"
"Try not to run away otherwise it will be worse"
And although later in the book the author intends to portray Zipitio as the first period a girl is having, the whole metaphor of a natural cycle being portrayed as an old man "who just wants to love young girls" is gross and scary.
The art is incredibly gorgeous, kudos to Gloria Calderón, although she really doesn't deserve to illustrate such awful stories...
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December 5, 2017Title (italicize): Zipitio
Author: Jorge Argueta
Illustrator: Gloria Calderon
Genre: Non- European Folktale
Theme(s): Aging/ adulthood
Opening line/sentence: “Rufina Perez was a pretty girl.”
Brief Book Summary:
Rufina is told by her mother that she will be visited by a “Zipitio”, a strange man that approaches women before they enter adulthood. Rufina is very scared of this man, and runs home to her mom. However, she is very smart and is able to trick him from returning to her.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
“Poetically written and boldly illustrated, this is a rather odd tale of a mythic creature who appears to young girls on the cusp of womanhood. Rufina, a pretty young Pipil/Nahua girl of El Salvador, is told by her mother that soon she will see the Zipitio down by the river. "The Zipitio wants to be the very first boyfriend of every girl." Rufina listens as her mother relates the story of a rich woman who once lived nearby. When the wealthy woman refused to tell robbers where her money was hidden, the robbers took her son to a witch who cast an evil spell, turning him into the Zipitio who now lives along the riverbanks. He is a strange, deformed creature, and when Rufina does see him she is frightened. In this retold tale, Rufina is able to convince the Zipitio to go to the sea and bring her back a wave. After that she never sees him again, but she knows that one-day she will have a daughter, and Rufina plans to tell her all about the Zipitio.” (Carolyn Mott Ford, Children’s Lit, 2003)
http://www.clcd.com/#/bookdetail/1/0/...
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
“ This is a classic Latin American folk tale which is brought to life by Argueta’s prose and Calderon's bright illustrations which catch the reader's eye with vivid blues, greens, oranges and reds. Calderon creates magical, haunting landscapes, with faces appearing in stones and trees. Yet the art is also realistic, giving readers a clear picture of the scenery and even the bright clothing of Rufina and her mother. Like many traditional tales, this one contains a villain but the Zipitio is more comical than frightening and we actually sympathize with him at the end when he leaves on his impossible assignment.” (Anne Ketcheson,Resource Links, 2004)
http://www.clcd.com.ezaccess.librarie...
Response to Two Professional Reviews (3-4 sentences in your own words)
Both of these reviews capture the humor and great style that this book sends with its meaning. I would agree with the first review that it is poetically written, as the words are very descriptive and meaningful. The second review really captures the illustrations with the detailed description. Overall, both reviews capture the light hearted message that the book sends.
Evaluation of Literary Elements (3-4 sentences in your own words):
“Zipito” is simply written in a way that young children can relate too. While a traditional Latin American folktale, the book still will interest young readers as it seems to be rich in fantasy. Like we talked about in class, fantasy has to have some aspect that readers can relate too. This book really seems to balance fantasy and real life. The tale of the witch transforming a young boy into the Zipito is creative and would grab the attend of young readers.
Consideration of Instructional Application (3-4 sentences in your own words):
After reading, students could discuss folk tales they know. Students could create books showing their own favorite folk tale, complete with pictures and the story in their own words. Students could also discuss the storytelling aspect of folk tales, and could write a story that may be told throughout their family or own culture .
Author: Jorge Argueta
Illustrator: Gloria Calderon
Genre: Non- European Folktale
Theme(s): Aging/ adulthood
Opening line/sentence: “Rufina Perez was a pretty girl.”
Brief Book Summary:
Rufina is told by her mother that she will be visited by a “Zipitio”, a strange man that approaches women before they enter adulthood. Rufina is very scared of this man, and runs home to her mom. However, she is very smart and is able to trick him from returning to her.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
“Poetically written and boldly illustrated, this is a rather odd tale of a mythic creature who appears to young girls on the cusp of womanhood. Rufina, a pretty young Pipil/Nahua girl of El Salvador, is told by her mother that soon she will see the Zipitio down by the river. "The Zipitio wants to be the very first boyfriend of every girl." Rufina listens as her mother relates the story of a rich woman who once lived nearby. When the wealthy woman refused to tell robbers where her money was hidden, the robbers took her son to a witch who cast an evil spell, turning him into the Zipitio who now lives along the riverbanks. He is a strange, deformed creature, and when Rufina does see him she is frightened. In this retold tale, Rufina is able to convince the Zipitio to go to the sea and bring her back a wave. After that she never sees him again, but she knows that one-day she will have a daughter, and Rufina plans to tell her all about the Zipitio.” (Carolyn Mott Ford, Children’s Lit, 2003)
http://www.clcd.com/#/bookdetail/1/0/...
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
“ This is a classic Latin American folk tale which is brought to life by Argueta’s prose and Calderon's bright illustrations which catch the reader's eye with vivid blues, greens, oranges and reds. Calderon creates magical, haunting landscapes, with faces appearing in stones and trees. Yet the art is also realistic, giving readers a clear picture of the scenery and even the bright clothing of Rufina and her mother. Like many traditional tales, this one contains a villain but the Zipitio is more comical than frightening and we actually sympathize with him at the end when he leaves on his impossible assignment.” (Anne Ketcheson,Resource Links, 2004)
http://www.clcd.com.ezaccess.librarie...
Response to Two Professional Reviews (3-4 sentences in your own words)
Both of these reviews capture the humor and great style that this book sends with its meaning. I would agree with the first review that it is poetically written, as the words are very descriptive and meaningful. The second review really captures the illustrations with the detailed description. Overall, both reviews capture the light hearted message that the book sends.
Evaluation of Literary Elements (3-4 sentences in your own words):
“Zipito” is simply written in a way that young children can relate too. While a traditional Latin American folktale, the book still will interest young readers as it seems to be rich in fantasy. Like we talked about in class, fantasy has to have some aspect that readers can relate too. This book really seems to balance fantasy and real life. The tale of the witch transforming a young boy into the Zipito is creative and would grab the attend of young readers.
Consideration of Instructional Application (3-4 sentences in your own words):
After reading, students could discuss folk tales they know. Students could create books showing their own favorite folk tale, complete with pictures and the story in their own words. Students could also discuss the storytelling aspect of folk tales, and could write a story that may be told throughout their family or own culture .
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews