Uncle Snake

by Matthew Gollub, Leovigildo Martínez (Photographer)

When his face is changed into that of a snake after he visits a forbidden cave, a young boy wears a mask for twenty years, before being taken into the sky

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1996

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another unique children's book, Uncle Snake takes place in Oaxaca and is about a boy who has transformed into a snake, who then jumps into the sky to become lightning. My boys love Gollub's books and Leovigildo Martinez's artwork just pushed the book into their favorite range. The story is quite creepy, a little open-ended which leaves room for discussion, as well as a cautionary tale since the boy in the story experienced everything after failing to listen to his father.

[Andrea Olatunji · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recibí una copia de este bello libro e inmediatamente me quedé intrigada con las ilustraciones. Al leerlo con mi hijo de seis años, nos transportó a un mundo intrigante, lleno de folklore de Mexico antiguo. Cada página nos adentraba más a esa cueva llena de magia y culebras.
Como maestra de español, este libro me parece una gran puerta a la cultura de Oaxaca. Lleno de elementos del folclor prehispánico como el curandero, el nahual, el ocelote, etc. esta historia puede ser una gran herramienta para introducir un tema o como inspiración para proyectos sobre la cultura prehispánica.
Lo recomiendo totalmente.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

My family and I got totally absorbed in the dramatic theme and artwork! Thunderstorms, eerie snake rattles,forbidden caves and an ending that none of us ever saw coming. What could better capture the imagination of young boys? LOL. As a side note, I thought the Spanish translation had a more finished quality than what I've found in a lot of Spanish books published in U.S. Hats off to the translator, Dr. Martín Luis Guzmán. Tío Culebra would be a great read for dual language immersion classes since it can be paired with the English edition titled "Uncle Snake."

[Juliette · Rating 5 out of 5]

For K-3

Plot: Storyline is interesting with growth in characters that children can relate to. The setting contributes to the story. Story will hold student's attention.

Author: Matthew Gollub is writing a story of the Oaxaca which he has visited frequently. The illustrator is from there and has contributed to the story.

Illustration: variations in clothes and hair that fits the setting.

Text accuracy: Culture is clearly represented. Words, food, and celebrations from the culture is accurate.

After being warned not to go into a cave, a young boy goes in anyhow and comes back home with his boy face replaced with that of a snake. After visiting several curanderos he seeks out a nahual who tells him that he must wear a mask for 20 years and must dance each year at the village fiesta. He did so faithfully and the village children called him "Uncle Snake". After 20 years he returned to the cave and left offerings on his way back to his family he took off his mask and was transformed to a snake with a human head, clouds were gathering and when the thunder boomed "Uncle Snake" jumped into the air and was transformed into lightning.

[Leslie Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book, and it is one of the few on the CLASP Americas Awards and Honors List (for 1996) that had my toddlers completely engrossed. The illustrations are beautiful and weird-ish (which is a good thing). The story, which is an ancient Oaxacan folk tale about how lightning came to be, is really interesting. I got this one from the library, but I would actually consider buying this one.

[Laurie Gaynor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspired by ancient Oaxacan belief that a snake in the sky brings heavy rains. Great read aloud on stormy day. Fabulous illustrations Grades 1-4