Caribbean Books

It is awonderful book. I loved the recipes. GREAT BOOK TO GIVE AS A GIFT.

The other day I went through my cookbooks, to see if I could weed some out, because I have too many to mention. It's hard getting rid of a cookbook, especially one with a few recipes in it that you've come to love. But I've scanned the recipes I need to keep forever into my MacBook. However, there were an even dozen I couldn't part with. These are books I turn to time and time again, even though I consider myself somewhat of a gourmet chef.

THE SUGAR MILL CARIBBEAN COOKBOOK is one of the ones I just had to keep, if only for the "Beach Breakfast" recipe right at the beginning of the book on page 4. Ms. Jinx is oh so right when she says the "spicy combination of Caribbean black beans and eggs give any morning a zingy lift-off." But, of course, you don't keep a cookbook for only one recipe, but not to worry, there is plenty more in this wonderful cookbook, like the "Lobster or Crab Eggs Benedict". Now that's a wonderful menu for a Sunday brunch and it goes perfectly with a Bloody Mary.

But please don't think this book is just about breakfast just because I chose to highlight a couple of good ones. If you want a satisfying, but not overfilling evening meal, try the "Fish with Coral Sunset Sauce" on page 122, it is simply divine. Then there is the "Pan-Seared Scallops with Tomato-Mango Salsa" on page 133, or the "Garden Patch Pasta" on page 102 and I better stop here, because I could go on and on, gushing about the wonderful recipes in this cookbook, but I think you have the picture by now. I really love this book, probably because every recipe in it is to die for.

I had been eyeing this book for quite awhile, for more than a year actually, because my husband and I were going to the BVI for our honeymoon. When we finally went on our honeymoon, through dumb luck and fate, we got a room down the road from the Sugar Mill, and we decided to go to their famous restaurant for a night out. That night out turned into one of the most fantastic, memorable dining experiences we'd ever had... The night was like something out of a fancy movie. Blown away by the food, I bought the cookbook at the gift shop after dinner. Flipping through it in the hotel, I almost couldn't wait to go home and try out some of their recipes. I ended up scribbling down drink mixes we had when we went out and about town in the BVI, so this cookbook has turned into a honeymoon food scrapbook for me.

Now, I know that back story makes me a little biased, but I have to say that even if I just bought it without going to the restaurant, I'd still think this cookbook is superb. It's so clearly written and each recipe has a little paragraph "bio" associated with it discussing either its creation, history, or interesting info on the ingredients or the tradition behind the food. That little paragraph adds to the local color and feel that resonates through this whole cookbook. You can almost taste and feel the Caribbean when you read this book. Another thing I really like is that this book will give you the recipe as it's served at their restaurant, adding to the authentic feel of the book... But the book also acknowledges that some of the ingredients easily available to them in the BVI might be hard to impossible to find on the mainland, so they give you feasible substitutions that don't hurt the taste or presentation at all. Also included are little blurbs on the various Caribbean islands, customs, or other interesting facts.

I'd say most of these recipes are what I like to call "grown-up recipes." Meaning, not all of them you'll throw together in 30 minutes, that these recipes are sophisticated, adult foods that will probably require a little planning and time, perfect for special occasions (or a nice dinner you'd like to feel like a special occasion). I know this is a big negative for some people, but for me it's nice to own a recipe book that involves some serious cooking. I own far too many cookbooks with recipes that call for throwing together various canned soups and canned vegetables, or other processed foods like Bisquick or freezer rolls, and baking it for 30 minutes, and serving. It's nice to have a recipe book that doesn't include 45 different ways to use "cream of" Campbell's soups, and talks about cooking with things like star fruit and plantains and all sorts of exotic fruits and ingredients you see at the grocery store and wonder "I wonder what you use that for?" :D This is certainly a "from scratch" cookbook, not a "30 minute meals" sort of deal.

The categories in this book are: Sunrise Specials (breakfast foods), Snacks, Nibbles, and Island Appetizers, Carnival of Soups, Calypso Salads and Side Dishes, Pastas Under the Palms, From the Fish Pot (seafood), Birds of Paradise (poultry), Tropical Meat Waves (all other meat), Sugar Island Sweets (desserts), and Trade Wind Cocktails (an essential for summer parties as it's the drink recipes... :D). Some of my favorite recipes are curried citrus rice, christophene and sausage filled flank steak, lime cream pasta, pina colada pancakes and cake (the latter being my husband's new favorite birthday cake), lobster chowder, and conch chowder. And I have a list of "need to try" recipes from this book as long as my arm.

I love this cookbook. It's the BVI wrapped up in a 245 page book. There are only two downsides as far as I can see to this book... The first one being that it doesn't include this awesome drink recipe that we had while we were there and are just dying to have again but nobody knows how to make... And the second being that every time I cook something from it, my husband and I remember how much fun we had and how beautiful this restaurant was, and then we start missing Tortola terribly... :)

My husband and I both love to cook and we picked up this cookbook shortly before our carribean cruise to introduce ourselves to the cuisine. We haven't stopped using the book since. The recipes are easy to follow and a great selection. The ingredients are for the most part easy to find or substitute for. I've won several cook-offs with recipes from this book, the rum glazed ribs and black bottom banana pie is to die for.

I live in the Florida keys and foods from the islands of the caribbean are all over the islands, however, this book of recipes by far expands ones selection of choices. The recipes are well written for following instructions easily. the added info in the side bars is interesting and easily put to use with other recipes in the book. If you like food from the islands, all the islands of the caribbean, this book is a source for a quick trip to the island of your choice.
I lost my first copy to Wilma (the huricane). Had to buy another because this book is that good. But it, you'll love it! ;-)

Este libro de poemas es hermosisimo ..... si la vida fuera como lo mencionan los poemas, no podría decir cual es la mejor entre las mejores....

ramillete de flores perfumadas que nos devuelven a la belleza del amor !
HERMOSÌSIMAS... SI LA VIDA ME FUERA EN ELLO, NO PODRIA DECIR CUAL ES LA MEJOR ENTRE LAS MEJORES !

ramillete de flores perfumadas que nos devuelven a la belleza del amor !
HERMOSÌSIMAS... SI LA VIDA ME FUERA EN ELLO, NO PODRIA DECIR CUAL ES LA MEJOR ENTRE LAS MEJORES !

ramillete de flores perfumadas que nos devuelven a la belleza del amor !
HERMOSÌSIMAS... SI LA VIDA ME FUERA EN ELLO, NO PODRIA DECIR CUAL ES LA MEJOR ENTRE LAS MEJORES !

Urbina, con su "Lo sentï: No fue una separacion, sino un desgarramiento.."
Neruda: "Puedo escribir los versos mas tristes esta noche...
"Lope de Vega: "¿Que tengo yo que mi amistad procuras?¿Qué interés se te sigue, Jesus mío ?"
Nervo:"Si Tu me dices "ven", lo dejo todo..!"
El Fraile Guevara: " No me mueve, mi Dios, para quererte, el cielo que me tienes prometido..."
Aguirre y Fierro con su Brindis del Bohemio
La Mistral:"PIececitos de niño, azulosos de frío,¿como os ven y no os cubren,? ¡Dios Mío!"
Andres E. Blanco"Por mi el cmbate en la altura
y en la palabra civil.
Por mi la flor en la barda
y la Rosa de Martì.
Por mi, ni un odio, hijo mio:
¡Ni un solo rencor por mi!"

No hay mucho más que decir...Por esta obra, desfila la belleza del alma humana...

While on our first real "adventure" after 34 years of marriage, we wound up at a condo in Florence, OR.
My husband wasn't well, so we only walked a little in Old Florence, supper at Waterfront Depot and retired for the evening.
With no TV to watch, I looked for a magazine or book to browse through.
I picked up Capricorn Lady II and didn't want to set in down.
After I read about Florence, Eugene and Captain Dan being sick, I started to read passages to my husband.
Here we were in that very town, on an adventure like no other and "my captain" not well. I read until I couldn't anymore, I wanted to know their whole story.
Even though we are "land lovers", we still had so much in common with the author and her Captain.
The strength, courage and endurance Judith showed, time after time, helped me to deal with a sick husband a long way from home.
Capricorn Lady II was a blessing when I really needed a friend.
Once home, I found Voyage of the Capricorn Lady Book I, to read.....the rest of their story.

Sail along with Dan and Judi and the Lady in the second book of their life as they charter the best sailboat and motor yacht in the BVI. You can almost smell the briny sea and taste Judi's gourmet meals as page after page unfolds a story of life on the ocean and the people they encounter. After reading Judi's story, I felt a strong bond with her and now know why I admired her so much when chartering. Her books are a pure delight.

The Voyage of The Capricorn Lady is a voyage anyone can take without leaving your living room. From the moment I began reading, I understood that Judi was not only sharing with us a wonderful part of her life, but developing a bittersweet peace within herself as she wrote. She writes simply and beautifully as she takes us on a voyage of success, failure, and success, peppered with the determination and self doubt we all experience. As we come to know Judi and Dan, we can relate to their difficult choices, and we can rejoice in their happiness.

Throughout this journey, we are confident that Dan and Judi's business savvy, and devotion to family and each other will inspire them through their most difficult times.
These books are not only a tribute to a man by his wife, but a true to life experience of living a dream laced with laughter, danger,and above all love...

This is a true story of a man and a woman destined to meet and share a life of adventure, laughter, tragedy and love. From their first lunch together in 1964, to their last embrace in April 2003, Daniel Gilman and Judith Bauer epitomized the term "soul mates".
Book one takes us on their journey from the world of high level real estate, through an abrupt departure on their 40' sail boat Capricorn and finally to the Caribbean. The agony of leaving family and possessions behind is gradually softened by their new lives, new friends and a grand new world.
Through a tapestry of defeats and accomplishments, Judi takes us with her on a cruise through her most cherished years with her "Danny" by her side. We experience their hartache and their hard earned victories. As we sail with them on the Capricorn from island to island to the acquisition of their motor yacht, Capricorn Lady, we eat, swim, dive, and tour their stunningly beautiful yet at times unforgiving part of the world.

Judi's vivid and deeply personal account of their life together leaves the reader with an enticing anticipation for book two. These books are just not for those who shared the experience of a cruise with Dan and Judi. It is for the romantic, the gourmet, and the adventurer in all of us.

In Book 1, we meet Captain Dan and his "Capricorn Lady", Judi. Overcoming unbelievable personal challenges, they continue charting their course on the 71 foot luxury Trumpy Motor yacht. "Capricorn Lady" is a labor of love, and we live each moment with Dan and Judi. Charter guest stories are touching, funny and human nature at its best! Book 2 takes you on many trips around the British Virgins, and you feel like you are also escaping on the "Lady," savouring each adventure with the Gilmans and their guests. Book 2 is an intimate, loving tribute to Captain Dan. Judi has opened her heart and the diary of her life with her beloved husband. Readers will relate to her emotions and cheer her independance. Can hardly wait for Book 3!

The book is designed to offer a good list of places to scuba relying on the use of dive operators - it lists many. Its use for a couple who just wish to go alone (in a buddy system, of course) is limited, since the locations are not exactly defined. The book also offers a lot of advice as to many facets of diving in these areas. In general, it is an excellent book with the caveat of not giving exact coordinates nor reference points by which to find the specific spots.

This book is very thorough on the coverage that I was looking for. I recommend this book. Actually, I couldn't find any other books that covered Puerto Rico.

This is one of the most thorough and up to date dive travel books I've ever read. We used a lot of the information on diving and related material on our recent trip to P.R. and found it very helpfull and accurate.

Once again we have an excellent and very useful publication aimed at amateur and professional diver alike. This is a true guide which concentrates on providing all the relevant and peripheral information that any Scuba Diver will want to know in respect of any of the Caribbean destinations covered. The maps and diagrams are particularly useful - and very easy to follow.

We live in an age where diving instructors and dive guides "have" to know what they are doing and it is interesting to see those professionals are using this book and not any of the glossy alternatives. Sadly, we also live in an age where many diving publications fall short. Too much false information - and even total lack of information is hidden behind excellent underwater photographs as publisher after publisher seeks to beguile, confuse and even mislead the potential buyer. Not so with this book!

My direct experience has been to find this series of books contain exactly the information divers require before during and even after their trip. Very well written, it includes all the general information on diving, facilities, climate, sea, regulations, boats, cruise liners, resorts, hotels, flora, fauna, shipwrecks, photography and safety. It then moves on to cover each of the target Caribbean countries which are the main subject of the book before concluding with a Glossary, Bibliography and Accident and Emergency Information.

We can all find pretty pictures on the internet - without even having to pay to see them. Information, however, especially reliable information, is much harder to find. If you are contemplating a trip to any of the countries featured in this book, you will find all - and I do mean "ALL" the information you require right here. That might be at the expense of some pretty pictures - but hey, once you get there, you can take those yourself.

In summary, once again we have "A Complete Guide" - which is exactly what it says on the cover.

NM

I have been meaning to review this book for some time as it is one of the most thumbed books on our book shelf. My wife and I run a charter yacht in the Virgin Islands and many of our guests are keen divers. We bought The Complete Diving Guide for our own use initially but it has since become part of the yacht's library as our guests find it so useful and enjoyable to read. (as our copy is getting rather worn I'm pleased to say that many of them buy their own copy after having seen ours). It is rare to find a book that is so comprehensive and which presents a vast amount of information in such a readable manner. In particular we find the island and dive site maps useful along with the descriptions of the dives and the underwater route maps. I can direct our guests at the tyupe of dive that I think they would enjoy and they can read about it beforehand. They can also choose the dive store they would like to use. I'd thoroughly recommend it to anyone planning to do some diving in the Virgin Islands (it even covers the Spanish Virgin Islands).

Anansi Jr. (AJ) Spider is an avid gardener. He gladly spends hours tending to his rows of Scorpion Orchids, Crab & Lobster Claws, and Monkey Tail Shrub. In fact, he spends so much time in the garden one day that he forgets to eat, so his huge appetite sends him into town in search of the delicious Julie Mangos.

When he arrives at the mango truck in the middle of Macka Street Market, AJ quickly clears it out, greedily buying all the mangoes and making his way home to feast. Before he leaves, though, Amani Ant and his little sister Karima arrive, wanting a mango of their own. Much to his dismay, Amani finds that all the mangoes are gone, and he desperately wants one for Karima, who has never tasted one before. He asks AJ to spare one of his, but AJ refuses, instead mocking and laughing at the ants as he rushes off.

In his haste, though, AJ ultimately loses his prized mangoes, and what follows is a very valuable lesson in selflessness and sharing.

The story of Anansi and the Mango Truck is a heart-warming tale of the virtues of putting others before ourselves. Through his characters, Hooper teaches lessons that we all will be well served to apply in our everyday lives, whether it involves giving up our bus seats to elderly passengers or letting someone have a parking space that we found first. What's important to understand is that we only stand to gain by giving freely of ourselves in any and every way possible.

With incredible illustrations accompanying his text, Hooper's story is an absolute treat for the eyes. A must-read for book lovers of all ages.

After spending several hours tending his garden, Anansi Jr. (AJ) works up a tremendous appetite. He decides that the perfect way to ease his hunger is to head into town, go to the Mango Camion, and purchase some sweet, juicy Julie Mangos. AJ being AJ, he purchases as many mangos as he can carry, which is a lot since he is a spider and has four hands. While in town, Amani Ant decides he wants to treat his younger sister to a Julie Mango only to discover that the camion has run out. When he runs into AJ who has a huge supply of the fruit, he asks if he can purchase on of them for his sister. AJ refuses. As AJ travels home, he is so focused on keeping all the mangos for himself, that he ends up losing them all. It is then that Jamila Lizardly teaches AJ an important lesson about sharing, but it is up to AJ to apply this new wisdom to his life.

Don Hooper continues to display his ability to craft a story that reflects the oral tradition in COOMACKA ISLAND ANANSI JR. AND THE MANGO TRUCK. As is the case in most fables and folk tales, the story has an obvious, yet unspoken message, in this case focusing on the value of sharing. The vibrant illustrations are engaging and will quickly capture the attention of even very young readers, drawing them into the story in the process. The book also includes a section at the end that covers fun facts and a glossary, this helps readers with definitions of the more difficult vocabulary words, and also brief descriptions of some of the people, places, and things readers unfamiliar with the Caribbean may not have previously been exposed to. All in all, COOMACKA ISLAND ANANSI JR. AND THE MANGO TRUCK is a fun, richly told story with a universal message.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

I've read many bedtime stories to my 2 kids and few are as fun and as stimulating as this. The colors and the graphics are terrific and make me wish I were basking in the Caribbean sun.

Coomacka Island Anansi Jr And The Mango Truck
by Don P. Hooper
Illustrated by Darnel Degand

[...]
Great website for both you and your children to enjoy.

Coomacka Island, Anansi Jr. & the Mango Truck by Don P. Hooper is a Caribbean tale that involves Anansi Jr., a spider who loves mangoes and is a tale of learning a lesson in true friendship.

This is a enchanting, delightful, and stimulating read for young readers, it has bright colors, wonderful graphics & illustrations (Illustrated by Darnel Degand)which are so vivid they will have your children using their imaginations and asking questions.

I look forward to all the adventures to continue, and will honestly being collecting each one for my grandson Caden to enjoy. This is a wonderful book for all young readers and is highly recommended as a must for the children in your life.

A Definite 5 Star children's book!

Anansi Jr and the Mango Truck is the second installment in the Coomacka Island series. Based in part, on Afro-Caribbean folklore, Anansi was the great trickster and somewhat of cult hero to islanders. For hundreds of years, folk tales about the Macka Tree and the spirits dwelling within roots have been passed down through the generations. As with many cherished stories, the fictional fires erupted from a spark of truth.

The story begins with AJ tending his garden, filled with beautiful plants, including his award winning Monkey Tail Shrub. There was only one thing that he loved more than gardening and that was eating. However, he was a very greedy spider and had never experienced the joy of sharing. Nevertheless, on this day, he would learn a valuable lesson about the spirit of giving and friendship.

Once again, Hooper and Degand have delivered a fictional tale, filled with life lesson of immense importance. From the first colorful page, the reader is transported to the heart of the Caribbean. The emotion-filled drawings bring the words, as well as, the island itself to life. Introducing names with various origins, such as Swahili or Haitian, offers children an opportunity to expand their vocabulary, while embracing cultural diversity. Although Coomacka Island is an uncharted, fictional Island, the morals and values found here have universal appeal.

Featuring an entertaining forward and fun facts at the conclusion, Hooper and Degand have created a multi-layered, multi-cultural series that will be cherished by children, parents and teachers the world over. And with the addition of the interactive website, exploring Coomacka Island is only a click away. [...]

Happy Reading!

Paul Crask's guide is by far the best guide on Dominica ever written. We've been there countless times and know tons of locals and yet learned a wealth of new information about natural features and activities as well as cultural trivia. The online update to this guide is indispensable as well, and includes the luxurious Calibishie Cove resort. Great job, Paul Crask. We'd also recommend Lennox Honychurch's books on Dominica, particularly its history.

I was born in Dominica and lived there until I was about 22 years old. Recently I went back to Dominica and wanted to rediscover the island; find some old haunts and discover new ones. Because I was planning to photograph Dominica in a way that represents what living and visiting there feels like, I wanted to find a guidebook. I had not lived there for some time, so I felt that I needed one.

This is the only guidebook about Dominica that I've ever read that gives any kind of representation of Dominica that rings true. There were descriptions of all the places that I was used to and additionally, to my surprise, there were all these places that I had never heard of. I went to see a few of them that I would never have found without the book. The descriptions of the places and how to get there were dead on.

I've enthusiastically recommended this book to expatriates who are planning on visiting Dominica with the idea of rediscovering our home and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone who is planning to visit Dominica. For the low cost of this book, the value and enjoyment of your trip will be immensely increased.

We managed to get this new travel guide just before our latest trip to Dominica. I devoured the book! It not only made me more excited about returning to Dominica, it confirmed what I knew and gave me a lot of information for further exploration.

We have travelled extensively and have a substantial library of travel guides. This is among the best. Hard to believe this is Mr. Crask's first effort. It is dead-on accurate and well laid out for finding information quickly. Having visited Dominica previously I understood what a challenge it would be to portray this unique location accurately. Well done!

Unfortuntately I purchased my copy of "Dominica" after my trip. We were fortunate, however, to meet the author, Paul Crask, for some guided hiking. In reading the guidebook after the fact, I can say with certainty that the information presented is very detailed and accurate, and chock-full of useful information.

The book is well-organized, with the first few chapters devoted to general, background and practical information for travelers. The second part is organized geographically, which helps with trip planning.

We look forward to returning to Dominica, and this time we'll read the guidebook first!

This guide is a great introduction to Dominica.

Both the narrative and photography are rich and authoritative and provide a deeply attractive presentation of Dominica's heritage. This book also has a relaxed feel to it which drew me into the whole idea of visiting what is clearly a naturally beautiful island. I particularly want to experience the National Parks, rainforest, the many incredible water falls and the Boiling Lake.

The guide also gives a sense for the culture, music and food of Dominica. There doesn't seem to be a Starbucks but it's not that kind of place, if you want to enjoy a Bellos Cocoa Tea and like the sound of a Hurricane Rum cocktail then this place should get high on your list of destinations.

I've read several guides before my travels in the past but none have hit the spot like this, well done to the author. Read this guide and visit the island! I'm looking forward to it.

First, this book is beautiful to look at... great photos, full of colours, very Caribbean.
Then the recipes are very appealing and mouth watering and they don't come accross as too difficult to execute.
And most off all, so far all the recipes I have tried turned out to taste great and also look good.
I live in the Caribbean and the recipes in that book really seem to represent the islands.
The best cookery book I have bought in a long time.

As an Executive Chef who specializes in Caribbean Style product development I found it very refreshing to see such a wonderful example of a Caribbean Cookbook. I found the recipes to be clear, easy to follow and in some respects very creative. The photography is truly stunning and for once doesn't focus on sandy beaches and palm trees. The only thing I would like to have seen were some more modern recipes, maybe next time Virginia.

I went through my cookbooks, to see if I could weed some out, because I have too many to mention. It's hard getting rid of a cookbook, especially one with a few recipes in it that you've come to love. But I've scanned the recipes I need to keep forever into my MacBook. However, there were an even dozen I couldn't part with. These are books I turn to time and time again, even though I consider myself somewhat of a gourmet chef.

Ms. Burke's EAT CARIBBEAN is, in my opinion, absolutely indispensable. Her Jerk Chicken is delicious, and coming from me, someone who's had her own recipe for Jerk Chicken published, that is really saying something. You won't go wrong with this book. Ms. Burke is the marketing director for Walkerswood Caribbean Foods and they're the people who make the jerk seasoning that I, and so many others use, so it's not surprising that she really knows her stuff and if you get ahold of this book, you'll be cooking like you do to.

Review submitted by Captain Katie Osborne

I actually stubbled across this book at the Sangster Airport in Montego Bay Jamaica. After reading about Virginia Burke at the back of the book I realized that she also grew up in the same district as I did in Walkerswood JA. Now that I have a personal connection to this book I was more than eager to begin to try some of the recipes.

The recipes are easy to follow and came out great. This is saying a lot for me since I just started cooking on a regular basis a year ago. What will instantly catch your eye about this book are the vibrant colors and the accruacy of the photos used.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is either a novice or pro in the kitchen, or for anyone interested in trying their hand at cooking Carribean cuisine.

The colorful cover caught my eye, but it's the creative and easy-to-prepare recipes inside that keep me coming back to this book regularly. This cookbook goes way beyond jerk, or adding a little pineapple or coconut to a dish. Author Virginia Burke is true to the cultural origins of dishes and the recipes are presented in an easy-to-understand and unpretentious manner. To my surprise, finding the ingredients in the U.S. has been quite managable. I have seen this author on TV once, and think she deserves a cooking show of her own. How fun it would be to take a weekly culinary trip through the islands with Virginia Burke.

I read this book with no prior knowledge of the author or any of his other literary work. What first captured my attention were the two young men of color on the book cover. Second thing that captured more of my attention were the well done, scenic, and colorful illustrations by Brian Pinkney. Author Robert D. San Souci even added a glossary for the words that young readers of the English language may not be familiar with. For example, words such as Bon-Die, Bonjou, Monfi, and Monsieur.

"The Faithful Friend" tells the heartfelt story of just that...a faithful friend. Clement (of Martinique in the Caribbean) and Hippolyte (of French descent) were friends, yet as close as brothers. They embark on a travel for Clement to propose marriage to a young woman that he fell in love with by sight of a picture only. Along the way they discovered the dead body of an old beggar in a banana grove. The good hearted young men provide a burial for the body and continued on their journey. After reaching their destination, all was well with the woman... but her Uncle did not care for a marriage between the two. The Uncle was also a wizard. He attempted to cast a spell on the young man who sought a wife, but the faithfulness of a friend caused none of the spells to work. On their journey home the friendship is demonstrated in more ways than one. The mystery that surrounds the spells and the faithfulness of the friend captures the readers attention. At one point I thought that I could predict the ending, but the author was too slick to let his readers be disappointed by having a predictable ending.

Overall, this is one book that I will highly recommend to young readers because it is well done from beginning to end (story and illustration). It is like an old folks tale with a French & Caribbean flavor. It may also spark a young reader to want to learn a foreign language, which is a valuable skill to acquire.

Review by:
Pamela Jarmon-Wade

Set on the French West Indies island of Martinique, this classic telling of two inseparable friends who would give their lives for each other, offers more than mere fairy tale. Clement and Hippolyte are as close or closer than brothers, even though they do not share the same race. They have been raised together since birth and cannot be parted. On a journey to find Clement's true love, they find and bury a homeless man, run from an enraged uncle, and dodge three curses cast upon them by a quimboiseur (a wizard).

At first I wasn't sure I would like this tale, as I made my predictions while reading. I thought I had completely guessed the ending. "How predictable," I surmised. "Too easy to figure out." As I continued to flip the pages, my predictions began to unravel.

This book represents the length that a friend will go to help and care for a true friend. These two young men have built a very strong bond that holds them together like brothers. This story takes place on an island with many twists and turns that make it a very exciting story. I think it is very important to let children know that we should be loyal to others in time of need. This story really hits on the true meaning of friendship, although it is fiction. My students love the illustrations which are done in scratchboard. Robert D. San Souci is a very good author for folk literature. I also like his book, The Talking Eggs. His work is good for teaching good values, or morals to students through unreal happenings.

The Faithful Friend is a French tale base in the Caribbean on the island of Martinique. Two inseparable friends, Clement and Hippolyte, are on a journey to propose marriage. After a beautiful woman named Pauline accepts Clement's proposal her uncle sets out to destroy them both. Three zombies have cast spells on the couple and it's up to Hippolyte to save them. The content seems to be appropriate for the ages indicated on the back of the book. However, there are some fairly complex words within the text, but a glossary has been provided at the beginning of the book. The Faithful Friend is definately written for young children, yet adults will enjoy the tale as well. Each illustration brings more meaning to the text. It uses bright, beautiful colors that words could never describe. They are also very accurate and consistent with the story. The artist uses a scratchboard technique throughout the entire book. This book seems to have been binded well, and the front cover bears two handsome young African boys, along with the Caldecott Honor sticker! Two thumbs up!!

When author Robert San Souci isn't writing yet another version of the Cinderella story (this man has done everything from skeletons to Cajuns, I kid you not) he can be found writing the film script to the Disney film Mulan, adapting every folktale known to man, and collaborating with some of the best living children's illustrators out there today. He can probably tile his floor with his Coretta Scott King Awards at this point and that Caldecott Honor he acquired from "The Faithful Friend" probably doesn't look too shabby either. Of course, Mr. San Souci hasn't a degree in folktales nor has he ever worked in a professional capacity when studying them. My response? Capacity schmapacity. This guy does his research, knows his stuff, and produces some of the best darned picture book folktales out there today. If his backgrounds just in advertising and film reviewing, so be it. At least he has a healthy respect for the genre and a great ear for folktale text. "The Faithful Friend" is an excellent example of both.

On an island in Martinique, two boys grew up on a sugar plantation. One boy was Clement, a brown-skinned boy who's father owned the estate. The other was Hippolyte, Clement's white companion and servant of the house. The boys grew up together and one day Clement told his friend that he'd fallen in love with Pauline, the niece of a man rumored to be a wizard. Hippolyte worries that there may be danger in going to visit her, but his friend won't be talked out of it. Together they travel along the coast road and, as they go, bury a poor beggar they find dead along the road. When at last the boys meet Pauline she's charmed by Clement but her uncle is not impressed. Though she swears to marry her new (some might say instant) love, the uncle vows to stop them at whatever the cost. Now Hippolyte must save his friend and insipient bride from zombies, poisoned fruit, nasty water, snakes, and that awful fate of turning to stone. Friendship has never been so good.

In an Afterword of the book, San Souci gives a riveting account of the many variations of this tale and gives a mighty compelling explanation of why exactly he chose this particular version. Turns out that this story is a Martiniquan version with an alluring chance to incorporate ghosts and grateful dead (sans Jerry Garcia) to the mix. He makes several allusions to "The Types of the Folk-Tale" by Antti Arne, which lists every single folktale variant and gives each one a number. Hence, your average grateful deal/the dead man as helper tale is tale type 505 while the rescued princess/the grateful dead man story is more along the lines of tale type 506. I don't know about you but I'm now itching to get my hands on this "Type" book to find more stories that fit certain molds.

When he chose to tell this tale of a black character and his white hero sidekick, San Souci switched the genre from the typical white-guy-and-his-magical-black-friend story found in every bad movie and book to something original and interesting. Race is not necessarily a factor in this book, allowing the viewer the chance to concentrate far more on the story than the politics. Because San Souci is throwing every folktale trick into the mix (from the ghostly to the ghoulish to the ghastly to the gorgeous) you might think that he's in danger of spreading himself too thin. Quite the opposite turns out to be the case. Though he draws from a variety of different sources, San Souci finds the perfect balance between the fabulous and the meaningful. This is a story about friendship, plain and simple. It just throws in a few zombies here and there for kicks.

San Souci has paired with every conceivable illustrator in the past and in this particular case he has been put together with the very well-known Brian Pinkney. Personally, I much prefer Brian Pinkney's pictures to those of his father Jerry Pinkney. His pairing with San Souci has always been particularly inspired, and I consider their work on "Sukey and the Mermaid" to be an example of one of the best picture books available to kids today (and certainly the top mermaid picture book every made). In this picture book Pinkney engages in full-throttle no-holds-barred scratchboard and oil pictures. The result are lush full-color spreads that shed delicate pink/purple light from oil skies onto scratchboard faces or delicately swirl circular winds of power around hot orange mangoes in a zombie's hand. Speaking of the zombies, I don't know how San Souci pictured them when he wrote this story down, but Pinkney has made them somewhat hot. These are good-looking zombie women. An odd but interesting choice on the artist's part.

You know, I don't usually like scratchboard picture books. When Mr. Pinkney wrote and illustrated, "The Adventures of Sparrowboy", I felt the technique was completely unnecessary. Seeing it in the context of this story, however, it not only works but compliments the story itself. All in all, "The Faithful Friend" is everything a good children's folktale should be. Creepy and lovely and with a good moral that is not moralistic. A jolly good read altogether.

this was a gify for my son and it arrived earlier than promised. he is enjoying the book very much.

I just finished reading this book and I found it to be an excellent piece of work. I have read most of Pedro Pans books, as I am one myself. It is true that this book and Conde's book are very similar; but who cares, they are both excellent books.

The reason Alina Lopez-Marin thought that some of the chapters from Dr Triay's book reminded her of Yvonne Conde's book, is because Dr Triay's wrote his book first, a year earlier. The "untold story" Conde's title is completely misleading the public, the story was first told by Dr. Victor Triay. Shameful sales tactic!

Operation Pedro Pan Group, Inc, the official charitable organization formed by the now adult children of Pedro Pan is grateful to Dr. Victor Tryai for writting the first complete and comprehensive historical book about the exodus of the cuban children, "Operation Pedro Pan". His well documented research earned the respect of Monsignor Byan O.Walsh who personally invited Dr. Tryai to be a guest speaker at our 40th Anniversary Convocation at Barry University. Some of the comments made on the prior review regarding the findings from the Children's Bureau seem out of line. Admiration and respect is what Dr. Tryai has always shown for the participants of Operation Pedro Pan. He is indeed a great writter and a man of integrity.

This is an outstanding work by Dr. Triay, a prominent Cuba scholar from Miami, Florida and living in Middletown, Connecticut. Triay's work captures the emotions of the interviewees whose touching stories were the primary sources of Triay's research. The book incorporates Triay's unique style of weaving historical context with personal stories, which has emerged as his trademark style, with the newly released Bay of Pigs: An Oral History of Brigade 2506 (University Press of Florida March 2001).

I read this book as a child - I am now 46 and still touched by it. I was asked the other night what some of my favorite books were. I rattled off a list of books that I have read in the last 20 years or so that made some impact on me. Then, as I was driving to work this morning, I remembered this book. I did a websearch and was happy to find that Amazon had reviewers of it. The thing I find most treasurable about this book was how engrossed I became with the story. I found myself right there, in the fields, on the dirt roads, with the dogs - it's as if I had been transported into the pages. Fantastic writer, now that I remember the book, I will be sure to read it again, and to look for other titles by the author.
I recomend this book for the young and old alike.

You know you've read a GREAT book when almost 7 years later, you remember the whole thing and where you were when you read it.
Green days is the book, not just for Caribbean born folks ( I am one!) but for any one who have love and lost and loved again. It desires to be bought.

The characters were very universal. Even though I am a trinidadian woman and can relate to the story better than most, it is still a book that every one should read. The main character was the type of young man that you just wanted something good to happen for him. He possessed alot of the characteristics of human nature. He wants a young woman, then he doesn't want her then he does again, then you're not sure what he wants. Life is like that. This story is the perfect theme of innocence to experience.

I just love Green Days By The River. All my friends at school love the book also we read it in Literature class. and in our end of year we get a Test on this Book and others. I love the book I am only just so sorry that shell could not have married Joan.In english Class I got an assignment to write on wheter Mr.Gidharee was trying to lure Shell into a trap.What do you think if you figure something please e-mail me at nhs@cwjamaica.com please! It is to be brought in tommorrow morning. And tell me your reviews also.

A classic West Indian novel, this book is way ahead of its time in its depiction of inter-racial relationships in a rustic country village. This tale puts a new twist on the time old story of star crossed lovers. It will keep you gripped to the climatic finish. This is a realistic novel, which will allow you to experience life in rural Trinidad.