The Lady in the Blue Cloak by Eric Kimmel
Bibliography
Summary
This book contains a compilation of stories about the various
Missions around Texas and explains the origins of many folk tales Texans hear
from childhood. It includes tales about the Blue Lady, San Antonio, Mission San
Jose and the Padre, most of which float around the city today as an oral
tradition.
Analysis
The tales are artfully told in a
way that manages to be both clearly understandable, (even by early readers) and
very descriptive. Because of this storytelling, this book would be entirely appropriate
for readers of all ages and I think would be very popular among parents of
Hispanic and Catholic backgrounds. It does have a running theme of faith
overcoming all tribulations. Multiple characters sacrifice their love for
another in the name of their faith and find fulfilment in their choice. It also
teaches the reader to trust that if they continue to do the right thing and
harbor goodwill toward those they meet, good things will be their reward. It
would definitely be a good tool to help teach children the value of goodness and honesty.
The tales are of famous stories
regarding the various missions around Texas, which are renowned for their rich
heritage and longevity. As a resident of San Antonio, I was familiar with some
of them, but it fills me with an unidentifiable feeling, (something like
pride), to read stories about places I visited as a child and currently work
down the street from. I believe many other San Antonians would enjoy reading
these rich stories that they likely heard from abuelas or padrinos when they
were young. It is a wonderful way to preserve the oral tradition that is quite
common in the area and share heritage with your family and community.
The illustrations are much more colorful
than I had expected! It’s almost as if they did not want to be outdone by the
stories they were representing. The very rich red, blue and yellow hues are striking
and detailed in a way that makes them feel personal and not mass produced, much
like the stories they accompany. The colors do a wonderful job of reflecting
the brightly referenced colors of the stories: The blue of the cloak, red of
the berries and yellow of the gold dubloons.
My favorite part of reading these
tales was seeing words and places that I know and learning where they come
from. Names like Shavano rang familiar, (Shavano Park on the North side of San
Antonio) and the description of the Margil Vine, (very common in the area)
reminded me that this city is not just another place. It is not just another
commune that became a village that grew into a city. It is a nesting spot for a
combination of cultures and backgrounds that came together to form the large,
family-like community that it has become. These stories, especially “The Padre’s
Gift,” remind me that the compassion of the city comes from the tales passed
down from generation to generation. They
preserve the pillars of the Catholic faith and spread the goodwill of the
church.
Awards
Daughters of the Republic of Texas Children’s Literature
Award, 2000
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