The Legend of the Bluebonnet

      dePaola, T. (1983). The legend of the bluebonnet. NY: Putnam. A village was suffering a terrible drought, for it was extremely selfish; it just took from the Earth, but never gave anything in return. The Spirits were angry, and they demanded the sacrifice of a beloved possession. She-Who-is-Alone unselfishly gave her only memory of her family, a doll, as a burnt offering. The Great Spirits accepted her offering, and blessed the land, now Texas, with rain and gorgeous blue bonnets. To many, a doll, may be something insignificant, but to this young girl, it meant the entire world. Her offering, in the eyes of others, may be worthless, but just like Mother Theresa said, "It's not how much we give, but how much love we put into it." Tomie dePaola does an extraordinary job and teaches the importance of giving and sacrificing for the greater good.