What do you think?
Rate this book
The Faithful Friend
Clement and Hippolyte are handsome, sharp-witted, and as close as brothers. When Clement falls in love with enchanting Pauline, he bids Hippolyte to join his quest to court her, and the two friends set out toward danger and adventure.
Pauline is ward of the mysterious Monsieur Zabocat -- a plantation owner reputed to be a quimboiseur, a wizard -- and, defying his wishes, Pauline joins her new fiancé and his friend on their trek home. But the fruited fields and forests they traverse hide dark forces plotting to destroy the couple...and one night -- Tam! Tam! Tamtamtam! -- the distant sound of a drum lures Hippolyte into a deadly trap that forces him to choose between his friend's safety and his own.
Robert D. San Souci and Brian Pinkney again combine their talents to bring to life a West Indian folktale that draws upon African, European, and South American traditions and imagery. The result is an extraordinary tale of romance, intrigue, and incomparable courage in which the truest of friends remain faithful to the very end.
Pauline is ward of the mysterious Monsieur Zabocat -- a plantation owner reputed to be a quimboiseur, a wizard -- and, defying his wishes, Pauline joins her new fiancé and his friend on their trek home. But the fruited fields and forests they traverse hide dark forces plotting to destroy the couple...and one night -- Tam! Tam! Tamtamtam! -- the distant sound of a drum lures Hippolyte into a deadly trap that forces him to choose between his friend's safety and his own.
Robert D. San Souci and Brian Pinkney again combine their talents to bring to life a West Indian folktale that draws upon African, European, and South American traditions and imagery. The result is an extraordinary tale of romance, intrigue, and incomparable courage in which the truest of friends remain faithful to the very end.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published March 31, 1995
10 people are currently reading
850 people want to read
About the author
Robert D. San Souci
96 books90 followersRobert Daniel San Souci (October 10, 1946 – December 19, 2014) was a multiple award-winning children's book author, who resided in San Francisco, California. He often worked with his brother, Daniel San Souci, a children's book illustrator. He was a consultant to Disney Studios and was instrumental in the production of the film Mulan, for which he wrote the story. He studied folklore in graduate school. He died after suffering a head injury while falling from a high height in San Francisco in December 2014. He was only 68 years old.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
June 29, 2019
A marvelous story awaits inside these pages. It is a fairy-tale from the island of Martinique. It is about the friendship of 2 lads who grow up like brothers and they are two different races. We have all the components for a good fairytale. A test of your heart, pursuing love and an evil uncle trying to wreak everything.
There are 3 zombie woman casting spells against the new couple and it is the friend who saves them along the way. He keeps them from dying. The end is quite a good story. I think it could make for a nice cartoon short. It is a most wonderful story. I do love the artwork and the swirls the brush strokes make with color. It’s a beautiful story. Like all good fairytales it all turns out ok, but how it gets there is most wonderful. It reminds me a little bit of Frozen that way.
The niece loved this story. She thought it was very romantic, so much so she gave it 5 stars. Even she was surprised by the ending and she figures things out most of the time. The nephew enjoyed the story too. He kept saying he would have told the couple what was happening and I told him he would have been turned to stone. He would say, ‘oh’. He gets so excited and focused, he has a hard time not just doing something. Still, he liked the story and he was glad the friend was so smart. He gave this 4 stars.
There are 3 zombie woman casting spells against the new couple and it is the friend who saves them along the way. He keeps them from dying. The end is quite a good story. I think it could make for a nice cartoon short. It is a most wonderful story. I do love the artwork and the swirls the brush strokes make with color. It’s a beautiful story. Like all good fairytales it all turns out ok, but how it gets there is most wonderful. It reminds me a little bit of Frozen that way.
The niece loved this story. She thought it was very romantic, so much so she gave it 5 stars. Even she was surprised by the ending and she figures things out most of the time. The nephew enjoyed the story too. He kept saying he would have told the couple what was happening and I told him he would have been turned to stone. He would say, ‘oh’. He gets so excited and focused, he has a hard time not just doing something. Still, he liked the story and he was glad the friend was so smart. He gave this 4 stars.
February 28, 2023
So yes indeed, Robert D. San Souci's The Faithful Friend presents an enchanting and exquisite Caribbean variant (well actually, more a French Caribbean derivation, from the Island of Martinique) of primarily folktale type 516 on the Aarne-Thompson registry (Faithful John, der treue Johannes, which is probably its most universally known title, as collected/presented by the Brothers Grimm). And being much familiar with the Grimms' tale, I also immediately and with considerable pleasure did notice the numerous and striking similarities between it and The Faithful Friend.
But that being said, this Martinique variation of folktale 516 is actually in many ways a combination of two distinct folktale types, as there are also evocative and intriguing vestiges of folktale 505/506 present (The Grateful Old Man, The Grateful Dead) due to the fact that Hippolyte and also Clement (as well as Pauline) are ultimately saved by the reappearing beggar to whom they had given a proper Christian burial on their journey to Pauline's Uncle's mansion (and who has now received express permission by le Bon-Die, le Bon-Dieu, the good Lord, to return to earth to demonstrate his gratitude by helping Hippolyte, Clement, and Clement's bride Pauline, whilst also destroying Pauline's uncle, the evil magician Monsieur Zabocat and his power, his influence, once and for all). And really, as much as I have always enjoyed the Grimms' tale of Faithful John, I actually do now rather prefer the ending in The Faithful Friend, as the former ending, with the rescue, the restoring of faithful servant John to life at first being contingent on the required blood sacrifice of the prince and his princess' two children (to which the couple does readily agree, and it is ultimately the simple act of agreeing, that mere willingness to sacrifice the children that allows faithful John to be released from his bondage) has always seemed a trifle too potentially gruesome and strangely Old Testament to me (reminding me of God's command to Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac).
Now Robert D. San Souci's adapted narrative reads smoothly and touchingly, harkening both to the European origins of The Faithful Friend (the whole basic scenario, the fact that Hippolyte saves Clement and Pauline three times, and must, after being forced to publicly speak of his actions, of why he has acted such as he did, be turned to stone) and to distinctly Caribbean (and with that, of course, also potentially African) themes and influences. The drumming, the zombies, the entire scenario of the returning deceased beggar at God's command to show his gratitude to both Clement and Hippolyte moves The Faithful Friend far beyond a mere reimagining of a European Faithful John like offering (combining not only different folklore traditions, but also the Roman Catholic concept that doing good deeds, being helpful, caring, even to strangers, to an abandoned and deceased beggar's corpse will have or at least can have positive consequences for ALL and sundry).
And well, as to Brian Pinkney's accompanying illustrations, they are simply glorious and as descriptive, as stunning, and with that, as informative as the author's text (as the printed, the recounted words of Robert D. San Souci's adapted narrative). Not only do the illustrations present an evocative, atmospheric feeling and scope of and for the Caribbean, of and for 18th and 19th century Martinique, they also and often rather expand on the narrative, the recounted plotline (showing visually what the text only hints at and and sometimes does not even actually portray). For example, Brian Pinkney's illustrated zombies are NOT the standard modern depictions of zombies as gruesome monster like entities with rotting flesh. No, they are depicted as three gorgeous and in many ways enticing looking young women, three witches perhaps, but really, they are basically three beautiful siren types who as zombies are completely under the spell of the sorcerer, the magician who made them into his acolytes, his minions. The three are thus not depicted, not illustrated by Brian Pinkney as physically demonic looking entities, but simply as human beings under the all encompassing zombie spell of Monsieur Zabocat (and really, truly, that is what zombies originally were considered, were believed to be, normal, everyday humans under the spell and command of a wizard, a sorcerer, living, but existing with no free will of their own, obligated, forced to perform their master's bidding).
A wonderful and magical, perfect marriage of text and image (highly recommended to and for anyone, both children and adults, and more than well deserving of the Caldecott honour destination it received for Brian Pinkney's pictorial renderings), the detailed and informative author's note at the back is an appreciated and wonderful added bonus (much increasing the folkloric, the teaching and learning values of The Faithful Friend). And although much of the supplemental information presented by Robert D. San Souci is, in fact, already known to me personally, I remain very much pleased and thrilled that there exists such an author's note, that such vastly informative an author's note has indeed been included (and when I remember the to and for me rather lacking and barely adequate author's note in San Souci's 1989 The Talking Eggs, I am both pleased and even very much a bit in awe that the author has obviously learned a lesson and decided that his folktale adaptations do require and need detailed, informative author's notes). For the supplemental notes provided in and for The Faithful Friend indeed contain very much appreciated and in my humble opinion folklorically even necessary, interesting information and details on the genesis and origin of this tale, and how a number of distinct folktale types were and remain successfully and beautifully, entrancingly combined in The Faithful Friend (in Robert D. San Souci's delightful and visually stunning Caribbean folktale adaptation).
But that being said, this Martinique variation of folktale 516 is actually in many ways a combination of two distinct folktale types, as there are also evocative and intriguing vestiges of folktale 505/506 present (The Grateful Old Man, The Grateful Dead) due to the fact that Hippolyte and also Clement (as well as Pauline) are ultimately saved by the reappearing beggar to whom they had given a proper Christian burial on their journey to Pauline's Uncle's mansion (and who has now received express permission by le Bon-Die, le Bon-Dieu, the good Lord, to return to earth to demonstrate his gratitude by helping Hippolyte, Clement, and Clement's bride Pauline, whilst also destroying Pauline's uncle, the evil magician Monsieur Zabocat and his power, his influence, once and for all). And really, as much as I have always enjoyed the Grimms' tale of Faithful John, I actually do now rather prefer the ending in The Faithful Friend, as the former ending, with the rescue, the restoring of faithful servant John to life at first being contingent on the required blood sacrifice of the prince and his princess' two children (to which the couple does readily agree, and it is ultimately the simple act of agreeing, that mere willingness to sacrifice the children that allows faithful John to be released from his bondage) has always seemed a trifle too potentially gruesome and strangely Old Testament to me (reminding me of God's command to Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac).
Now Robert D. San Souci's adapted narrative reads smoothly and touchingly, harkening both to the European origins of The Faithful Friend (the whole basic scenario, the fact that Hippolyte saves Clement and Pauline three times, and must, after being forced to publicly speak of his actions, of why he has acted such as he did, be turned to stone) and to distinctly Caribbean (and with that, of course, also potentially African) themes and influences. The drumming, the zombies, the entire scenario of the returning deceased beggar at God's command to show his gratitude to both Clement and Hippolyte moves The Faithful Friend far beyond a mere reimagining of a European Faithful John like offering (combining not only different folklore traditions, but also the Roman Catholic concept that doing good deeds, being helpful, caring, even to strangers, to an abandoned and deceased beggar's corpse will have or at least can have positive consequences for ALL and sundry).
And well, as to Brian Pinkney's accompanying illustrations, they are simply glorious and as descriptive, as stunning, and with that, as informative as the author's text (as the printed, the recounted words of Robert D. San Souci's adapted narrative). Not only do the illustrations present an evocative, atmospheric feeling and scope of and for the Caribbean, of and for 18th and 19th century Martinique, they also and often rather expand on the narrative, the recounted plotline (showing visually what the text only hints at and and sometimes does not even actually portray). For example, Brian Pinkney's illustrated zombies are NOT the standard modern depictions of zombies as gruesome monster like entities with rotting flesh. No, they are depicted as three gorgeous and in many ways enticing looking young women, three witches perhaps, but really, they are basically three beautiful siren types who as zombies are completely under the spell of the sorcerer, the magician who made them into his acolytes, his minions. The three are thus not depicted, not illustrated by Brian Pinkney as physically demonic looking entities, but simply as human beings under the all encompassing zombie spell of Monsieur Zabocat (and really, truly, that is what zombies originally were considered, were believed to be, normal, everyday humans under the spell and command of a wizard, a sorcerer, living, but existing with no free will of their own, obligated, forced to perform their master's bidding).
A wonderful and magical, perfect marriage of text and image (highly recommended to and for anyone, both children and adults, and more than well deserving of the Caldecott honour destination it received for Brian Pinkney's pictorial renderings), the detailed and informative author's note at the back is an appreciated and wonderful added bonus (much increasing the folkloric, the teaching and learning values of The Faithful Friend). And although much of the supplemental information presented by Robert D. San Souci is, in fact, already known to me personally, I remain very much pleased and thrilled that there exists such an author's note, that such vastly informative an author's note has indeed been included (and when I remember the to and for me rather lacking and barely adequate author's note in San Souci's 1989 The Talking Eggs, I am both pleased and even very much a bit in awe that the author has obviously learned a lesson and decided that his folktale adaptations do require and need detailed, informative author's notes). For the supplemental notes provided in and for The Faithful Friend indeed contain very much appreciated and in my humble opinion folklorically even necessary, interesting information and details on the genesis and origin of this tale, and how a number of distinct folktale types were and remain successfully and beautifully, entrancingly combined in The Faithful Friend (in Robert D. San Souci's delightful and visually stunning Caribbean folktale adaptation).
July 26, 2015
“The Faithful Friend” is a Caldecott Honor Book and a Coretta Scott King Award winning book from master storyteller, Robert D. San Souci along with illustrations by Brian Pinkney. This story is about how Hippolyte, a faithful friend of Clement, tries to save his friend from the misfortune that occurs to him when Clement tries to marry Pauline. “The Faithful Friend” is definitely one of the greatest books about friendship ever written for children.
Robert D. San Souci has done a fantastic job at writing this book as it is based off the classic Brothers Grimm tale, “Faithful Joannes.” Robert D. San Souci has successfully delivered the message about how a true friend will help a friend in their time of need as Hippolyte stayed loyal to his friend Clement in order to protect him from the evil Monsieur Zabocat. Brian Pinkney’s illustrations are truly magnificent as the characters seem to glow in every page and even though the characters have some scratchy edges to their structures, they look extremely realistic and colorful that will mesmerize children to no end. The images that stood out the most in this book was the image of Pauline, Clement and Hippolyte leaving Monsieur Zabocat’s plantation in the middle of the night as the sky is clear blue and the characters effectively glow against the small moon in the image.
“The Faithful Friend” is the perfect for children who want to learn more about what it takes to be a true friend and who loves romance. I would recommend this book to children ages six and up since the book is a bit too long for smaller children to handle and there are some Caribbean words such as “Bonjou” and “quimboiseur” that younger children would have trouble understanding.
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
June 5, 2018
A wonderful story of friendship in the face of adversity. I really liked Brian Pinkney's scratchboard illustrations - very unusual.
September 29, 2019
The writing is a little wooden and some pages are too text heavy, but this is a pretty interesting adaptation of macabre folklore from the island of Martinique. Zombies and curses and ghosts, oh my.
September 2, 2018
Robert D. San Souci's Faithful Friend is a Martinique's version of the Faithful John, the Grimm story.
I like this version far more. In part, it is because of the ending. But also because the woman in the story, here Pauline, is far more active in this version.
I like this version far more. In part, it is because of the ending. But also because the woman in the story, here Pauline, is far more active in this version.
February 26, 2020
In this engaging folktale from the Caribbean island of Martinique, two life-long friends - Clement, the son of a wealthy land-owner, and Hippolyte, the son of the French-born widow who was hired as his (Clement's) nurse - set out together to meet the beautiful young woman whose image has caused Clement to fall in love. Performing a good deed upon their journey, the two friends eventually arrive at Monsieur Zabocat's plantation, where they discover that the lovely Pauline is just as enchanting in person, as she is in her portrait. Unfortunately, although it is obvious that she and Clement have fallen instantly in love, her uncle, reputed to be a quimboiseur, or wizard, forbids the match. When the couple, accompanied by Hippolyte, sets out to be married regardless, they are pursued by the evil magic of Monsieur Zabocat, and the three zombies that he has raised. Only Hippolyte is aware of the danger, and only he can save his friends: but at great cost to himself, should he ever reveal what he knows...
Chosen as a Caldecott Honor Book in 1996, as well as given a Correta Scott King Illustrator's Award Honor, The Faithful Friend pairs beautiful scratch-board illustrations by Brian Pinkney with a powerful story of loyalty and mutual sacrifice from Robert D. San Souci, who has retold many folktales over the course of his long career. I appreciated the author's detailed description of his source material - what he retained from the Martiniquais version of this story, and what he added in - and hope to track down Elsie Clews Parsons' collection of folklore from the Antilles, at some point. I was interested to see that this story likely evolved from similar European stories, such as Faithful John , from the Brothers Grimm. The Venetian tale, Pome & Peel , has a very similar plot as well. All in all, a most engaging selection, one I recommend to all young folklore enthusiasts. I only wish I could find more folktales from Martinique!
Chosen as a Caldecott Honor Book in 1996, as well as given a Correta Scott King Illustrator's Award Honor, The Faithful Friend pairs beautiful scratch-board illustrations by Brian Pinkney with a powerful story of loyalty and mutual sacrifice from Robert D. San Souci, who has retold many folktales over the course of his long career. I appreciated the author's detailed description of his source material - what he retained from the Martiniquais version of this story, and what he added in - and hope to track down Elsie Clews Parsons' collection of folklore from the Antilles, at some point. I was interested to see that this story likely evolved from similar European stories, such as Faithful John , from the Brothers Grimm. The Venetian tale, Pome & Peel , has a very similar plot as well. All in all, a most engaging selection, one I recommend to all young folklore enthusiasts. I only wish I could find more folktales from Martinique!
November 9, 2013
What would you sacrifice for a friend, especially a friend who is in love? This story, based on a West Indian folktale is so romantic and exotic. It explores the themes of friendship and courage on the lush island of Martinique in the Caribbean Sea.
Clement and Hippolyte are such close friends, they are practically brothers, having been raised together from an early age. It is a friendship that crosses racial and class barriers. Clement falls in love with a painting of beautiful Pauline and vows that he must marry her. He asks Hippolyte to journey with him to the other side of the island so that he might court her. Among Hippolyte's reservations is the rumor that the girl's uncle, Monsieur Zabocat, with whom she lives, is a quimboiseur or wizard. But like a good friend Hippolyte agrees to undertake the trip so that Clement may find happiness.
Hippolyte's greatest fear comes true. After Pauline agrees to Clement's proposal, the disapproving, vengeful uncle banishes them from his house. Under an ominous night sky,the three venture home. But Hippolyte is the only one who knows the dangers of a life-threatening dark spell. Will he be able to keep both himself and his friend safe? Will Clement and Pauline survive to marry?
Robert D. San Souci's writing in this book just sweeps you into the story, where love and magic are as vivid and ripe as tropical fruit. There is a glossary at the front of the book to explain the French and Creole words as well as a further exploration of the story's origins at the back of the book, which adds to the richness of the cultural experience for the reader.
The sentences inspire a desire to travel there. "Everywhere vivid blossoms blazed against the bright green of sugarcane and banana and pineapple fields and the deeper green of distant mountains. It was a perfect setting for the young men's high spirits."
The illustrations by Brian Pinkney capture the beauty of such descriptions, from the verdant, untamed, mysterious countryside to the vast blue sea and sky. I delighted in the walled entrance of climbing roses and stone pathway to the plantation home where Clement and Hippolyte grew up together. The wraparound porch at Monsieur Zabocat's house looks inviting, even if its owner is anything but.
Clement and Hippolyte are such close friends, they are practically brothers, having been raised together from an early age. It is a friendship that crosses racial and class barriers. Clement falls in love with a painting of beautiful Pauline and vows that he must marry her. He asks Hippolyte to journey with him to the other side of the island so that he might court her. Among Hippolyte's reservations is the rumor that the girl's uncle, Monsieur Zabocat, with whom she lives, is a quimboiseur or wizard. But like a good friend Hippolyte agrees to undertake the trip so that Clement may find happiness.
Hippolyte's greatest fear comes true. After Pauline agrees to Clement's proposal, the disapproving, vengeful uncle banishes them from his house. Under an ominous night sky,the three venture home. But Hippolyte is the only one who knows the dangers of a life-threatening dark spell. Will he be able to keep both himself and his friend safe? Will Clement and Pauline survive to marry?
Robert D. San Souci's writing in this book just sweeps you into the story, where love and magic are as vivid and ripe as tropical fruit. There is a glossary at the front of the book to explain the French and Creole words as well as a further exploration of the story's origins at the back of the book, which adds to the richness of the cultural experience for the reader.
The sentences inspire a desire to travel there. "Everywhere vivid blossoms blazed against the bright green of sugarcane and banana and pineapple fields and the deeper green of distant mountains. It was a perfect setting for the young men's high spirits."
The illustrations by Brian Pinkney capture the beauty of such descriptions, from the verdant, untamed, mysterious countryside to the vast blue sea and sky. I delighted in the walled entrance of climbing roses and stone pathway to the plantation home where Clement and Hippolyte grew up together. The wraparound porch at Monsieur Zabocat's house looks inviting, even if its owner is anything but.
March 15, 2016
A shining example of loyalty and friendship, The Faithful Friend brings a West Indian folktale to life through a well written story accompanied by beautiful, exotic illustrations. Despite drastic disparity in class and race, Clement and Hippolyte are as close as brothers, and they go on a suspenseful adventure together to win over Clement's true love, Pauline. The trouble beings with Monsieur Zabocat, Pauline's disapproving uncle, who curses the trio's journey home in order to prevent Clement from marrying Pauline. Hippolyte alone knows of this secret curse, and this knowledge forces him to choose between Clement's safety and his own. Through Hippolyte's sacrifice for Clement, and Clement's return of the favor, the two reflect the irreplaceable value of friendship and loyalty until the bitter end.
Students in upper-elementary grades will be enthusiastic about this tale, and the book is perfect for an engaging read aloud for the whole class. Beyond an entertaining story though, The Faithful Friend delivers a treasurable moral for students. The actions of Hippolyte and Clement teach lessons of loyal friendship, sacrificial love, and the ultimate power of being selfless. These are positive traits that can be instilled in our students as they are inspired by the events and characters in this folktale. Additionally, this story will heighten students cultural awareness as the tale takes place on a Carribbean island and specific vocabulary of that culture is infused throughout the book. Finally, the note at the end explaining the origin of the story proves informational for teachers and students alike.
After reading this book, I said "WOW" purely because of the lasting effects felt from the folktale itself. With an incredible story of friendship, this book makes readers of all ages and backgrounds internalize the importance of caring for others and emphasizes how that deep bond can make you go to great lengths to protect those who you love. I particularly enjoyed the unique setting, which was unfamiliar to me and added to the intrigue of the story. Throughout the story, I was hooked as the tale traveled on a thrilling path, and I was left touched by the satisfying conclusion.
Students in upper-elementary grades will be enthusiastic about this tale, and the book is perfect for an engaging read aloud for the whole class. Beyond an entertaining story though, The Faithful Friend delivers a treasurable moral for students. The actions of Hippolyte and Clement teach lessons of loyal friendship, sacrificial love, and the ultimate power of being selfless. These are positive traits that can be instilled in our students as they are inspired by the events and characters in this folktale. Additionally, this story will heighten students cultural awareness as the tale takes place on a Carribbean island and specific vocabulary of that culture is infused throughout the book. Finally, the note at the end explaining the origin of the story proves informational for teachers and students alike.
After reading this book, I said "WOW" purely because of the lasting effects felt from the folktale itself. With an incredible story of friendship, this book makes readers of all ages and backgrounds internalize the importance of caring for others and emphasizes how that deep bond can make you go to great lengths to protect those who you love. I particularly enjoyed the unique setting, which was unfamiliar to me and added to the intrigue of the story. Throughout the story, I was hooked as the tale traveled on a thrilling path, and I was left touched by the satisfying conclusion.
November 2, 2017
The Faithful Friend is a beautiful retelling of a traditional West Indies folktale. Clement and Hippolyte are two inseparable friends who live on the island of Martinique. Clement falls in love with a woman named Pauline and Hippolyte agrees to join his friend on his journey to ask for her hand in marriage. Pauline’s uncle, Monsieur Zabocat, is not happy about the arrangement. Monsieur Zabocat is said to be a quimboiseur (a wizard), and casts a spell on the couple as they head back to their town of Le Vauclin. To prevent the wedding, he leads them into many deadly traps. Hippolyte realizes that his friend is in danger and he puts his life on the line for his friend. This Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King award winner is a beautiful tale of loyalty, courage and love. Robert D. San Souci is an amazing storyteller and the illustrations by Brian Pinkney are phenomenal. Together, the two create a magical, diverse story of friendship that captivated me from start to finish.
This would be an intriguing read aloud for an upper-elementary classroom. This story lends itself to great discussions about friendship and morals. I feel young children will be engaged with the “magic” sprinkled throughout the book. Students would have fun learning about Caribbean culture and vocabulary.
Folklore is not a genre I tend to gravitate towards, however when I saw that this was a Caribbean tale, I was intrigued. I would highly recommend this book to folklore enthusiasts and those who love a “good over evil” type of story. I loved this book and its message of kindness and doing the right thing!
This would be an intriguing read aloud for an upper-elementary classroom. This story lends itself to great discussions about friendship and morals. I feel young children will be engaged with the “magic” sprinkled throughout the book. Students would have fun learning about Caribbean culture and vocabulary.
Folklore is not a genre I tend to gravitate towards, however when I saw that this was a Caribbean tale, I was intrigued. I would highly recommend this book to folklore enthusiasts and those who love a “good over evil” type of story. I loved this book and its message of kindness and doing the right thing!
October 5, 2017
I was surprised by how much I liked this strange little book about a friend who does everything he can to save his friend and his intended bride from a zombie curse. It involves just enough supernatural elements to be creepy, but it also seems completely plausible. I love the Caribbean setting and the incorporation of the language of the West Indies. This would be a great read-aloud for some of the older elementary groups who visit my library, and it will add some diversity to my repertoire. I will definitely visit this one again in the near future.
January 30, 2018
The Faithful Friend, by Robert D. San Souci is a West Indian traditional story, which highlights the journey of two close friends, as one of them goes to find and bring back his bride. This book could be classified under the subgenre of a fable because its purpose is to inform its readers about the importance of being a true friend. This lesson is taught throughout the book, but it is especially displayed at the end where one friend sacrifices his life for the life and happiness of the other friend and his bride.
The plot for this story is captivating and the characters encounter many challenges along their journey. Although this format or basic plot line for a story can be common among literature, the characters encountered unique challenges like ghosts and curses of being turned into stone. These obstacles faced by the characters made the story interesting to read and gave a familiar story line a new twist.
I also really enjoyed the illustrations used in this book. The pictures are bright and detailed, which draws in the reader's attention and helps add to the story. The pictures are realistic, which help the story feel more real, even though many of the events in the story are probably not realistic. Brush or pencil strokes are also shown throughout the pictures, creating texture and showing movement of the characters. Overall, The Faithful Friend, by Robert D. San Souci was an interesting children's book to read and it taught an important lesson about being a true friend.
The plot for this story is captivating and the characters encounter many challenges along their journey. Although this format or basic plot line for a story can be common among literature, the characters encountered unique challenges like ghosts and curses of being turned into stone. These obstacles faced by the characters made the story interesting to read and gave a familiar story line a new twist.
I also really enjoyed the illustrations used in this book. The pictures are bright and detailed, which draws in the reader's attention and helps add to the story. The pictures are realistic, which help the story feel more real, even though many of the events in the story are probably not realistic. Brush or pencil strokes are also shown throughout the pictures, creating texture and showing movement of the characters. Overall, The Faithful Friend, by Robert D. San Souci was an interesting children's book to read and it taught an important lesson about being a true friend.
April 19, 2017
The Faithful Friend is a complex picture book in the folklore genre and would be a good fit for third grade. The book won the Caldecott Award in 1996. This book is about two friends, of different races, who remain faithful to each other despite being tested. One of the friends, Clement, falls in love with a woman whose uncle, a quimboisear, does not approve of their relationship. The uncle tries to destroy the couple by cursing them. Hippolyte, the other friend, learns about the curses and risks his own life to save the couple. In the end, Clement shows the same loyalty to Hippolyte and the uncle is held responsible for his actions.
Third grade English language arts standards require students to analysis folktales for a central message and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text. This folktale would be a good fit for this standards because of the relevant theme of friendship and loyalty. Students could examine how loyalty is shown throughout the events in the book.
This was a WOW book for me because despite the many differences between the two boys, they were almost like brothers. The themes presented in this book can lead to valuable classroom conversations and teach students what it means to be a good friend. The illustrations also enhance the overall effect the book has on the reader.
Third grade English language arts standards require students to analysis folktales for a central message and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text. This folktale would be a good fit for this standards because of the relevant theme of friendship and loyalty. Students could examine how loyalty is shown throughout the events in the book.
This was a WOW book for me because despite the many differences between the two boys, they were almost like brothers. The themes presented in this book can lead to valuable classroom conversations and teach students what it means to be a good friend. The illustrations also enhance the overall effect the book has on the reader.
February 12, 2014
Rife with rich imagery and dark magic, this wonder tale takes place around a sugar plantation on a Caribbean island in the late 1800s. A glossary that includes pronunciations is found on the copyright page to help reader get through the culturally appropriate language that is used. It should be mentioned this book is a Caldecott Honor Book--the pictures are intriguing. One of the two male protagonists travels to court a beautiful woman at the dismay of her evil uncle, Monsieur Zabocat. As the story unfolds, three "zombies" appear to cast spells to kill the young couple—three different times. The other young male protagonist is aware of the magic and successfully thwarts the evil. In the end of the story, the second young man is forced to reveal his knowledge, causing his death. Faithful friendship leads to sacrifice, and in the end an earlier good deed resurfaces to allow triumph over evil. This would be a great story for second or third graders, especially tying Halloween into a unit on folklore.
November 2, 2016
This is a wonderful folk tale based on a retelling from Martinique. I appreciate San Souci's author's note explaining the background of the tale. In this tale, two friends set off so that Clement can court a beautiful young woman, Pauline, the niece of Monsieur Zabocat. Zabocat is wicked and jealous and uses three zombies to attempt to kill Pauline and Clement but Hippolyte is a faithful friend and saves them three times despite the personal cost. I love that this friendship is a shared friendship. Hippolyte is a faithful and self-sacrificing friend...but Clement is just as faithful and self-sacrificing. I love the wonderful illustrations and the interesting setting and details in both the text and illustrations.
April 17, 2019
As with _The Hired Hand_, this is an engaging fairy tale with a bit of magic (although not blood magic this time). Again, I really like the art -- a lot.
Apparently there are a *lot* of New World variants of this one, and San Souci ultimately chose the Martinique edition... but there's a line in his author's note that implies he mashed up to add the wicked guardian.
Fairy tales are always changing, so that's not a showstopper... just be aware about possible authenticity questions if you decide to use this for a taste of Caribbean tales.
(By the way -- KUDOS to Mr San Souci for giving us such thorough author's notes!!!)
Apparently there are a *lot* of New World variants of this one, and San Souci ultimately chose the Martinique edition... but there's a line in his author's note that implies he mashed up to add the wicked guardian.
Fairy tales are always changing, so that's not a showstopper... just be aware about possible authenticity questions if you decide to use this for a taste of Caribbean tales.
(By the way -- KUDOS to Mr San Souci for giving us such thorough author's notes!!!)
December 27, 2016
This is an intriguing tale of loyalty, courage, and love. The story has a Caribbean setting and the illustrations really complement the story. It's a fairly dark tale that is based on a classic Grimm story. We really enjoyed reading this book together.
This book was selected as one of the books for the November 2016- Caldecott Honor discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
This book was selected as one of the books for the November 2016- Caldecott Honor discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
January 31, 2017
This was a tale I never heard before. The note at the end said it can be traced back to Grimm's fairy tales though this one is a Martinique version. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The text and illustrations complemented each other nicely and both enhanced the other. This is one I would put in my fairy tale repertiore. It's different enough to peak interest, but follows a fairy tale theme which well support readers too.
February 20, 2023
C'était une très belle histoire ! comme vois lavez vu dans la story précédente, elle comporte des similitudes avec un des contes des frères Grimm
Mais version antillaise avec tous le folklore qui va avec !
Au-delà de ça, jai trouvé l'histoire très touchante. En effet, ya pas plus fidèle qu'hypollite vu son courage et son sacrifice pour son ami !
Beaucoup d'éléments de chez moi (normal) et c'est juste trop satisfaisant à lire 🥺🥺
C'est vraiment ce qui manquait dans ma vie
je trouve les illustrations particulières et belles à la fois
En tout cas, pour les antillo-guyanais (et les autres bien sûr) qui passent par là... LISEZ
Mais version antillaise avec tous le folklore qui va avec !
Au-delà de ça, jai trouvé l'histoire très touchante. En effet, ya pas plus fidèle qu'hypollite vu son courage et son sacrifice pour son ami !
Beaucoup d'éléments de chez moi (normal) et c'est juste trop satisfaisant à lire 🥺🥺
C'est vraiment ce qui manquait dans ma vie
je trouve les illustrations particulières et belles à la fois
En tout cas, pour les antillo-guyanais (et les autres bien sûr) qui passent par là... LISEZ
October 7, 2019
This was not what I was expecting. I forgot to review it and now I can't really remember what I thought of it, so two stars sounds about right.
February 20, 2021
I really enjoyed this tale.
November 6, 2012
1.This book falls in the category of Picture Book: Traditional Literature.
2. Clement and Hippolyte are best friends and do everything together. Clement falls in love with Pauline and asks Hippolyte to join him on his quest to get Pauline to marry him. Pauline is the ward of Monsieur Zabocat and when Pauline and Clement decide to marry against his wishes, Hippolyte must muster his courage and strength to save his friend and his beloved from the curses that Zabocat and his team of zombies try to bestow on the couple.
3. Critique
A) The pictures of this book expertly convey the mood of the story.
B)Brian Pinkney illustrates this tale in scratchboard and oil which help create blurred lines and whimsical scenes. The mood of mystery and even danger is further conveyed with large trees and vegetation crowding most pages. The night scenes are illustrated in dark colors such as blues, grays, purples, and black to show the danger lurking around every corner. On top of this the illustrations boldly take up all of the space on each page overwhelming the eye with blurred detail which gives the reader a further sense of danger and mystery.
C) A great example of the mood and sense of danger shown through the illustrations is found on pages 26 and 27. On these pages Hippolyte is shown bursting from beneath the bed of the bridal chamber with a cutlass in hand about to kill the poisonous snake to save his friends. The only colors on the page are dark variations of black, red, and gray. Each item drawn on the page is illustrated with blurry lines drawn through which makes the pictures more mysterious and darker than even the simple colors can convey. On top of this, the words are written in white on top of a midnight black background. The words are written where the wall of the room would be so the black extends all the way to the door where the small, and shadowy images of the newly married couple appear. The only open space on these pages of the book are found on the wall of the room, which is illustrated in such a dark black that instead of seeming like empty space, normally referred to as white space, it feels that the darkness of the empty space is overwhelming the room and crowding the reader out. The dark colors and the shadowy and blurry lines of the pictures enhance the mood which is illustrated by the plot on this page where Hippolyte kills the final curse, the snake, to save his friend.
4. This book, when examined closely, has a variety of literature connections. First it is a West Indian folktale so it could easily be incorporated into a class study on folktales. It contains different aspects from other countries’ tales so it could be used for a compare and contrast activity. It also represents a multi-cultural book. This tale represents a culture that many of the students may not know about so reading the book and studying the culture could be beneficial for the students. On top of this, this book could be used to connect to Social Studies curriculum. Throughout elementary school, the curriculum contains information about the West Indies when the exploration of the new world was happening so the book could be used as a supplement to the text for learning about the West Indies. The students could also create their own folk tale using qualities of this folk tale. They could either write it and illustrate it or even act it out, depending on time restrictions and curriculum needs.
October 6, 2022
Are you interested in a book that has a folktale feel with some exquisite island flair?
A marvelous story of friendship tested by love in this fantastic folklore. The illustrations created by Brian Pinkney tell the story of life on an island with a striking attention to detail in his scratchboard oil paintings. A wonderful depicted theme of valuing friendship. This picture book is a Caldecott winner as well as honors for other awards like the Coretta Scott King Award.
A 4-star book that is a perfect addition to your classroom library!
A marvelous story of friendship tested by love in this fantastic folklore. The illustrations created by Brian Pinkney tell the story of life on an island with a striking attention to detail in his scratchboard oil paintings. A wonderful depicted theme of valuing friendship. This picture book is a Caldecott winner as well as honors for other awards like the Coretta Scott King Award.
A 4-star book that is a perfect addition to your classroom library!
January 18, 2022
Read while doing research for the musical “Once on This Island.”
Cute, short, and the illustrations are lovely!
Cute, short, and the illustrations are lovely!
March 30, 2016
The Faithful Friend is a tale of loyalty and friendship that you will never forget. This story opens with two unlikely characters that grow up to be "close as brothers". After one of the boys pronounces he has fallen in love and must go get the woman, the two boys set out for a journey. On their voyage, which is filled with laughter and happiness, their mood is saddened when they come across a poor man who has passed away without anyone noticing. Even though they are eager to get to their destination, they think it is proper to stop and have the man buried. After finding the girl, and to the disgust of her uncle, they all three leave to return the good news of the successful proposal to the the boys father. The mean uncle does not want this marriage to happen so he plans for witches to curse the new couple. On the journey home, the boy who is not engaged, Hippolyte, overhears the witches series of plans to kill the couple. The witches or 'zombies' as they are called in the story say that if anyone overhears this plan and speaks of it they will be turned to stone. In the end, the amazing loyalty of the boys friendship and their kindness of burying the poor man will save one from stone and allow the curse to be "returned to its source".
I could use this book in my classroom to teach about the genre of folklore. It would be such a great one because it has such strong and positive messages in it. It would be easy to point out why many generations of people may have wanted to pass this story along to each other! I could also use it in a lesson on geography and tie in Martinique which is where this story takes place. I could also use it to discuss some vocabulary words like: plantation, amends, laden. I could discuss idioms like: 'Pauline was a vision in a white satin gown...' I could even use it to discuss vernacular because this book has many phrases and terms in the native language of Martinique.
This was a WOW book because the last couple pages will leave you with chills. I must also admit that the wow factor was intensified because I had kind of written the genre of folklore off, not expecting it to interest me or catch my attention. But boy was I wrong! It is a book that I wish I could have read growing up and one that I definitely want to have in my future classroom. It has such beautiful underlying messages of kindness and loyalty to friendship. The book rewards the boys for their random act of kindness and proves the point that it pays off to do the right thing! It also teaches that friends are worth turning to stone for! Love this book!
I could use this book in my classroom to teach about the genre of folklore. It would be such a great one because it has such strong and positive messages in it. It would be easy to point out why many generations of people may have wanted to pass this story along to each other! I could also use it in a lesson on geography and tie in Martinique which is where this story takes place. I could also use it to discuss some vocabulary words like: plantation, amends, laden. I could discuss idioms like: 'Pauline was a vision in a white satin gown...' I could even use it to discuss vernacular because this book has many phrases and terms in the native language of Martinique.
This was a WOW book because the last couple pages will leave you with chills. I must also admit that the wow factor was intensified because I had kind of written the genre of folklore off, not expecting it to interest me or catch my attention. But boy was I wrong! It is a book that I wish I could have read growing up and one that I definitely want to have in my future classroom. It has such beautiful underlying messages of kindness and loyalty to friendship. The book rewards the boys for their random act of kindness and proves the point that it pays off to do the right thing! It also teaches that friends are worth turning to stone for! Love this book!
September 11, 2016
Genre: Folk literature
Format: Picture book
Awards: Coretta Scott King Award, Caldecott Honor Book
Summary: Clement and Hippolyte are two boys that grew up together to be as close as brothers. When Clement has a desire to go ask the beautiful Pauline for her hand in marriage, Hippolyte warns him of her mysterious uncle who was said to be a quimboiseur, a wizard. However, Clements heart is set and Hippolyte agrees to join him on this journey. When Hippolyte becomes aware of the dangers that face Clement and Pauline, he does everything in his power to protect his friend. When instances occur at the end of the story and Hippolyte must face telling the truth or his death, he immediately chooses to tell his friend the truth. This heart-warming picture book tells of love, courage, and undoubted friendships.
Critique: Although the reader is aware that this is a Caribbean folk tale, the author has multiple names that are rather difficult to pronounce. This might discourage the reader to even continue with the book because of complications with the names of people. Many students are taught about a five finger rule and if they don't know so many words than they must set the book down and gather another. Due to the difficult names, I don't believe many elementary school students would keep this book to read.
Teaching Prompt: In the story, the boys come across a dead beggar and how they properly give him a burial in a nearby town. This is only a brief part in the book and isn't mentioned again until the very end. The teacher could use this to teach about predicting in stories and how predicting can help one comprehend and understand their text better.
Craft Elements: The author introduces many vocabulary words throughout the book, and gives the short definition to it. This is very resourceful for children to be able to read books with higher level vocabulary in it, but to still be able to understand it. The story also has French words throughout it, with the English translation right next to it. This is a wonderful element, as the students are being introduced to other cultures languages.
Format: Picture book
Awards: Coretta Scott King Award, Caldecott Honor Book
Summary: Clement and Hippolyte are two boys that grew up together to be as close as brothers. When Clement has a desire to go ask the beautiful Pauline for her hand in marriage, Hippolyte warns him of her mysterious uncle who was said to be a quimboiseur, a wizard. However, Clements heart is set and Hippolyte agrees to join him on this journey. When Hippolyte becomes aware of the dangers that face Clement and Pauline, he does everything in his power to protect his friend. When instances occur at the end of the story and Hippolyte must face telling the truth or his death, he immediately chooses to tell his friend the truth. This heart-warming picture book tells of love, courage, and undoubted friendships.
Critique: Although the reader is aware that this is a Caribbean folk tale, the author has multiple names that are rather difficult to pronounce. This might discourage the reader to even continue with the book because of complications with the names of people. Many students are taught about a five finger rule and if they don't know so many words than they must set the book down and gather another. Due to the difficult names, I don't believe many elementary school students would keep this book to read.
Teaching Prompt: In the story, the boys come across a dead beggar and how they properly give him a burial in a nearby town. This is only a brief part in the book and isn't mentioned again until the very end. The teacher could use this to teach about predicting in stories and how predicting can help one comprehend and understand their text better.
Craft Elements: The author introduces many vocabulary words throughout the book, and gives the short definition to it. This is very resourceful for children to be able to read books with higher level vocabulary in it, but to still be able to understand it. The story also has French words throughout it, with the English translation right next to it. This is a wonderful element, as the students are being introduced to other cultures languages.
March 1, 2011
Published: 1995, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing
Age: 7-10
This is an exciting folktale about friendship, zombies, curses, witchcraft, loyalty, and revenge all in a mysterious setting. Set on the island of Martinique in the 19th century, a rich landowner’s wife has died in childbirth. He takes in a French widow who has also just given birth to a baby boy to care for his newborn boy. The 2 boys, one light, one dark grow up together and become best friends. One day, the rich boy falls in love with a picture of a girl from Macouba. The two boys go on a journey to visit her. They fall in love and want to get married, but her wizard uncle, whom she lives with does not approve. The three of them run away and the uncle sends zombies after them to kill them. The boys’ friendship is tested and they must pass through many scary encounters.
Pinkney’s scratchboard and oil illustrations set the mood for the story. Dark grays, blues, purples, and blacks set the tone for zombies and other scary scenes, and large green plants and palm trees with light blue sky set the tone for the daytime. An author’s note at the end tells what the tale is based on. Interestingly, he explains tale type numbers from, “The Types of the Folk-Tale,” by Antti Arne, and how he took versions of these to create his story. This is a great story to read to students when talking about what it means to be a friend and that good deeds are rewarded.
Age: 7-10
This is an exciting folktale about friendship, zombies, curses, witchcraft, loyalty, and revenge all in a mysterious setting. Set on the island of Martinique in the 19th century, a rich landowner’s wife has died in childbirth. He takes in a French widow who has also just given birth to a baby boy to care for his newborn boy. The 2 boys, one light, one dark grow up together and become best friends. One day, the rich boy falls in love with a picture of a girl from Macouba. The two boys go on a journey to visit her. They fall in love and want to get married, but her wizard uncle, whom she lives with does not approve. The three of them run away and the uncle sends zombies after them to kill them. The boys’ friendship is tested and they must pass through many scary encounters.
Pinkney’s scratchboard and oil illustrations set the mood for the story. Dark grays, blues, purples, and blacks set the tone for zombies and other scary scenes, and large green plants and palm trees with light blue sky set the tone for the daytime. An author’s note at the end tells what the tale is based on. Interestingly, he explains tale type numbers from, “The Types of the Folk-Tale,” by Antti Arne, and how he took versions of these to create his story. This is a great story to read to students when talking about what it means to be a friend and that good deeds are rewarded.
July 3, 2025
wonderful
January 7, 2020
A 1996 Caldecott honor book, this is a dark tale set in the island of Martinique. Two friends bonded together and inseparable, Clement and Hippolyte are friends for life. When Clement falls madly in love with a princess when he sees her image, he is driven to meet her and convince her to marry him, Filled with images of zombies, ghosts and based on folklore and told in many various renditions, in this tale the princess accepts Clement's proposal of marriage.
Her Uncle Monsieur Zabocat is a wizard. Understanding the bond of the two friends, the uncle lures Clement's friend Hippolyte in a trap forcing him to choose between his own safety and that of his friend. Turned to stone, Hippolyte made this sacrifice for his beloved friend.
In the end, he is freed from the curse because of his love of his friend.
While the illustrations are unique, I didn't like the story line. There were too many twists and turns and much darkness.
Her Uncle Monsieur Zabocat is a wizard. Understanding the bond of the two friends, the uncle lures Clement's friend Hippolyte in a trap forcing him to choose between his own safety and that of his friend. Turned to stone, Hippolyte made this sacrifice for his beloved friend.
In the end, he is freed from the curse because of his love of his friend.
While the illustrations are unique, I didn't like the story line. There were too many twists and turns and much darkness.
December 17, 2017
Before my trip to Martinique I looked up all of the relevant books in my local public library system, and this was one of them so I read it while sitting between the shelves of the Children's section.
I think this is a very enchanting book. The writing is wonderful and the illustrations are even better -- the art style is unusual, and I can't decide whether it feels like it's leaping off the page or drawing you into it. It's the type of book that I would have loved to own as a kid.
I love the multi-racial friendship shown between Clement and Hippolyte, the vividness of the Martiniquais locale and its cultural impact on the story, the honest relationship between Clement and Pauline, and the portrayal of the zombis. I also love that despite the sacrifices that both friends are willing to make, the story has a happy ending.
I think this is a very enchanting book. The writing is wonderful and the illustrations are even better -- the art style is unusual, and I can't decide whether it feels like it's leaping off the page or drawing you into it. It's the type of book that I would have loved to own as a kid.
I love the multi-racial friendship shown between Clement and Hippolyte, the vividness of the Martiniquais locale and its cultural impact on the story, the honest relationship between Clement and Pauline, and the portrayal of the zombis. I also love that despite the sacrifices that both friends are willing to make, the story has a happy ending.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews