Legend of the Bluebonnet

DePaola, T. (1983). The Legend of the Bluebonnet. New York: The Putnam & Frosset Group

Tomie DePaola's classic retelling of the Comanche legend introduces us to She-Who-Is-Alone. Her tribe is struggling with a drought due to their selfishness. In order to end their suffering, the People must sacrifice their most prized possession in a burnt offering. No one steps forward, except She-Who-Is-Alone. Her prized possession is a doll, made for her by her parents who have died. This is all she has left of them. She burns the doll and scatters the ashes to the four winds. She is rewarded by the Great Spirit with hills covered with beautiful blue flowers, the same blue as the feather in her doll''s hair.

This is every Texas teacher's go to book in March. There isn't a child in the state who hasn't heard this story and then colored a page of bluebonnets. But it's more that just a legend about the state flower. Its theme that sacrifice will be rewarded and that sometimes a child can be a leader are important lessons for children. They learn that even a child do something to help others. That is empowering to children.