Review by Booklist Review
Llanos shares her passion for Peruvian stories in this vibrant tale, set in an Inka kingdom, that explores accountability and kindness. Kindhearted Little Chaski is assigned to be the emperor's private messenger, and today is his very first day delivering a khipu. "Be sure to be strong . . . swift . . . and sharp" are his family's resounding words of wisdom before he sets out in the morning, khipu in hand, with instructions to arrive at his destination promptly before sunset. But as he travels along the Inka Trail, he encounters distractions in the form of animals in distress. Can he help the animals and still make his delivery? Llanos bolsters her lively story with robust back matter, including facts about the Inka empire, a glossary of Quechua words used in the story, and snippets of facts about the animals Little Chaski meets on his journey. Johnson's bold illustrations, in saturated colors and blocky shapes, add to the lively atmosphere, with plenty of historical and cultural touches nicely incorporated into the scenes.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
The Inka empire--the empire of the Tawantinsuyu--was the largest in pre-Columbian America. An ingenious relay system of messengers was used to connect the vast empire: the chaskis. This is the story of a young chaski on his first day of service. Little Chaski wakes up before the sun. His first mission is to take a khipu to the King--the Inka--before the sun sets. (Khipus were knotted threads hanging from cords, used to keep records and communicate information.) Along the way, Little Chaski helps out a number of animals in trouble. Observant readers will notice Little Chaski dropped his khipu when helping the first animal. When he finally arrives just as the sun is setting, he realizes the precious khipu is missing. The day is saved, though, when the grateful animals arrive bearing the khipu, making this a charming tale that easily melds kindness and historical facts. Colorful, dynamic, and detail-filled illustrations complement and extend the story. The expressions on the sun's face as it traverses the sky are delightful. The backmatter includes a glossary of the Quechua words sprinkled throughout the text, information on the Inka empire, and information on the animals depicted. Certainly an appealing introduction to an important culture largely overlooked in children's literature in the United States. A welcome addition, especially given the dearth of children's books on the Inka empire. (Picture book. 5-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
