Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #37771 in Books
• Published on: 1986-09-25
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 32 pages

Review
As a note acknowledges, Aardema has taken a folk tale from Kenya, one which reminded its original British collector of "The House That Jack Built," and brought it even closer to the cumulative structure and rhythm of that English nursery rhyme. Her rhymed version begins with a drought on Kapiti Plain: ". . . This is the grass/ all brown and dead,/ That needed the rain/from the cloud overhead - / The big, black cloud,/ all heavy with rain,/ That shadowed the ground/on Kapiti Plain." Then it zooms in on the young Ki-pat, who is tending his herd when an eagle feather drops near him. From the feather Ki-pat makes an arrow, which pierces "the cloud that hangs overhead" and brings rain to the plain. The Africans never told it this way to be sure, but the borrowed form gives this version a brisk, easy lilt, and the graphic, cut-out-like pictures are similarly crisp and direct. (Kirkus Reviews)

Customer Reviews

Bringing The Rain To Kapiti Plain
Kapiti Plain is a beautifully illustrated African story/poem which adopts the repetitive structure of 'The House That Jack Built'. As a primary school teacher this book has been ideal when teaching performance poetry and can be the cause of great discussions on the ethics of hunting. The stunning illustrations, rhythm and tale are sure it capture the attention of children and adults alike.

A great change from farmyard animals
This is a great book. The story builds with each repartition, like the old lady who swallowed the fly. With lovely pictures it is a great alternative setting and children in my class always enjoyed it.

I Love It
I fell in love with this book when one of my children had it home from school. I've just ordered and received my own copy and re-read it. I love it, not just the rhytum of the story but the ending always puts a smile on my face!