Malian folklore springs to life in the exquisitely painted ceramics that have become Diakité's (The Hatseller and the Monkeys) illustrative trademark. Set against solid color fields, his bold pottery extends an energizing magic to a traditional African tale of an enchanted gourd. The gourd, which fills with whatever its owner desires, is a gift to Brother Rabbit for his altruism in freeing Chameleon from a thorny bush. Rabbit uses the magic vessel to feed his hungry family and the rest of his impoverished village. Here, several photographs of ceramic bowls, all with intricate black-and-white exterior designs, break up the text. Viewed from different angles, the interiors of the bowls change to match the text: at first readers see the faces of Rabbit's family reflected as they peer inside; elsewhere, the interior is painted with carrots and then with water. The story plays out on plates and tiles in impressively detailed paintings. Deepening the impact of the illustrations, traditional Malian mud cloth patterns border the ceramics. Extensive endnotes explain each motif's meaning, define the text's many Malian sayings and words, illuminate the cultural context and identify the tale's folkloric "cousins" around the world. A visually invigorating work. Ages 5-8. (Feb.)
