Floramel and Esteban

October 1, 2009
Gr 3-5-Floramel, a cow, lives in a meadow near a cliff overlooking the sea. She is lonely, and curious about the world. When a flock of cattle egrets lands near her looking for a place to feed, she talks the leader into assigning a bird to her as her grooming companion. Esteban stays behind and describes the world beyond, and gradually a close friendship develops. Esteban even brings a conch shell to his companion and she learns to make music. After he migrates with his flock, the cow becomes listless, abandons playing the shells, and grows quite thin waiting for her friend. When he returns without the flock and the two are reunited, Floramel begins to play her music again, and the townspeople gather to hear. As word spreads, the musical cow is declared a national treasure. The text consists of a sequence of exchanges between the creatures and features characters that exhibit human traits such as concern for others. The theme of friendship will resonate with children, and reluctant readers will find the short chapters and predictable-yet-satisfying ending appealing. Full-page, black-and-white sketches begin each chapter."Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA"

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