The Shaman's Apprentice: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest

I was first attracted to this book by the cover art. It depicts a scene with an older man and a young boy looking around the rainforest with wisdom and awe. As it sub-title states, A Tale of the Amazon rain forest, I was not misled. This is a fiction book yet the information is accurate. It displays the plants and tribal life in a typical Amazonian village.The illustrations were colorful, realistic and related to the text. On the inside front and back cover pages are drawings of Amazonian plants. These drawings give the name of the plant and its medicinal use. As an adult, I found that interesting and, as a teacher, I was able to use these pages with my students to teach about rain forest plants.The story follows a young Amazonian boy who when first introduced is lying sick in his hammock. After he is visited by the tribe's medicine man - the shaman - he recovers from his fever. The boy learns from the shaman, from visits from white missionaries, and from his own people. The story is interesting and does stay on point - the importance of protecting the healing plants of the earth.This book is appropriate for grades 1-4. Many teaching activities can be found within the pages of this book. For example, matching the plants pictured in the front of the book to the plants illustrating the dialogue pages. Younger children would like to find and identify the animals shown throughout this book.I would recommend this book to parents and teachers.Thomas Sandusky, author of Gracie the glass tree frog

A well received present

I had to laugh at the reviewer who said "a very young child doesn't need to be seeing graphic rears and breasts" - especially considering the fact that, well, MY very young child sees MY breasts up front and personal on a regular basis every single day. But anyway, I digress, somewhat. There really ARE no "rears" graphically displayed - there are a couple of vary vague side views peeking out from long loin clothes, and I never saw anything i recognized as a breast, unless it was, perhaps, the pudgy chest of an older indigenous man. This book is beautiful - we first saw it in the local library and I bought it in the Amazon marketplace on the spot. It's the kind of truth and the kind of story I want my daughter reading from a very young age (and honestly? I want her to know that 'rears and breasts', in the right, natural context, are exactly that - NATURAL!). The artwork is beautiful.

I absolutely love this book! I read the adult version in college and was so excited to find this version to share with my children. It demonstrates the importance of taking care of and learning about our environment, as well as honoring our elders and the wisdom they have to share with us. Beautiful illustrations as well.

Loved using this book to help my boys (8 and 10) understand the true history of medicine. My kids are visual learners, so even at their ages, it helps to have books on their reading levels, which still include pictures. Also, our family uses a number of natural healers to help our autistic son, which has made us quite the "alternative" family in our community. This book demystifies the world of herbal remedies and hands on healing in a way that anyone can easily undersand and appreciate. I noticed a shift in my children's attitudes about being the "alternative" family. It is an objective story, based on history.

Discovered this on Amazon Prime's streaming video of Reading Rainbow, circa 1983. My child loved the show and asked for the book. It's his new favorite; he's saving it to pass down to his children. If that's not 5 stars, I don't know what is.

This is one of the best kids books that I have seen for a long time. I can't recommend it to highly. I only wish I still had kids that I could share it with. I suspect that most adults would enjoy it also, and might be moved to read more of Plotkins books.

Arrived in great condition, exactly as described.

Brilliant. I am an Ofsted registered childminder and bought this book to help me fulfil 'diversity' and 'inclusion' requirements. I read this book with children ranging from 3 to 8 yrs. All enjoyed it, the older ones showing real interest in the story of a life and culture so different from their own and the younger ones enthralled by the beautifully detailed illustrations. The story of a boy growing up in a world where his own cultural heritage is threatened by the changing world around him is clearly and sympathetically told, interesting and easy to follow. A positive outcome makes this an enjoyable read for all. This is a lovely book.

Beautifully illustrated, powerful messages, great for teaching children about the rainforest and focusing on english language. Creates great discussion within the classroom.

Wonderful story, eye opener for wee ones

Outstanding book. The children really enjoyed. Got lots of good quality English work out of them. Especially when they had to compare it to The Great Kapok Tree.

Bought to support a school topic on rainforests. Lovely illustrations showing diversity of plants in rainforest, and highlighting how useful these plants can be