Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The name of the tree: A Bantu folktale ;

Rate this book
In a drama played out among animals large and small, weak and strong, it is the humble tortoise, slow but determined who finds a way to save the others and himself from a terrible fate. Full color.

Unknown Binding

First published April 1, 1990

2 people are currently reading
85 people want to read

About the author

Celia Barker Lottridge

28 books8 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
43 (43%)
4 stars
34 (34%)
3 stars
18 (18%)
2 stars
2 (2%)
1 star
2 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
22 reviews
February 12, 2020
The cover of this book is already one that excites me with the animals all grouped up around a tree, and shows what might happen in the future. throughout the book the message is clear of what must be done to save the animals. The message is restated several times and many animals attempt to complete the task. This book is great with the art and design within it as well and the transition from animal to animal. I enjoyed this book and I think it would be good for 2-3rd grade students.
Profile Image for Whole And.
979 reviews6 followers
May 24, 2016
A book we've come back to many times.
The animals of the forest are short on food and travel to a tree that is beautiful and full of fruit that has all the colours of the world and smells of the sweetess combination of all fruits. They have all forgotten the name of the tree and the only way to find out the name is to visit the king, lion.

Several animals take turns to visit lion who is calm at first becoming angrier with every animal that comes to ask since each one forgets the name by the time they get back to the others. There is only one wise, focused and clever animal who tricks the lion ot give away the name one more time, focus on the name all the way home and thus feed all the animals.

A beautiful folk tale to inspire many conversations from environmental devastation to spiritual meaning of the tree to teaching what focus is really about.

A well loved treasury in our home.
Profile Image for Heather.
270 reviews
February 15, 2011
Another favorite bedtime story...
When a drought spreads through the land of the short grass, the animals set out across the great plain to find food. Their only hope for survival is a tree with a variety of colorful fruit. The problem is its branches are too high. To reach them, the wise old turtle says, one must know the name of the tree, something only King Lion is privy to. In this Bantu folktale retold by Celia Barker Lottridge, the hero is not the most cunning or the strongest but the one that tries the hardest. Ian Wallace's striking illustrations of desert landscape and luscious fruit help bring this tale to life.
Profile Image for Wendelle.
2,028 reviews62 followers
Read
August 3, 2017
somehow tortoises win everything, in every culture
2,790 reviews
Read
July 15, 2018
Daddy read these for Alissa's bedtime stories. They had a ball.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.