Mexico and Erandi's Braids

 I read Erandi's Braids by Antonio Hernandez Madrigal and illustrated by Tomie DePaola to 2B today.  After pointing out Mexico on the world map, we read that the village of Patzcuaro was near Mexico City and was a very poor village. In the story, Erandi's family needed money for a new fishing net.  Fishing was how the family earned its money, and their net was beyond repair.  It was Erandi's birthday, so her mother took her to the shop in the village square to pick out a present. Erandi saw a beautiful doll there, but ended up choosing a gorgeous dress that she could wear to the upcoming village fiesta. She felt a bit guilty buying anything, thinking that maybe her family should save the money for a new net instead.  Her mother insisted that she had a plan to earn some extra money, and encourages her to buy the dress.

Her mother's plan was to sell her hair to the barber, a common practice for women in the 1940's and 1950's in this village.  When the barber tells the mother that her hair is not long enough, he tells her that he will gladly pay for Erandi's beautiful, long braids.  Much to Erandi's relief, her mother told him that Erandi's hair is not for sale.  But there's that net to buy....

This story reminded me of O. Henry's "Gift of the Magi," and we talked about how Erandi was generous, caring, and brave.  Students shared their stories about themselves and their friends donating their hair so that wigs could be made from them.  DePaola's illustrations really set the scene, showing the Mexican architecture, clothing, and pottery of the village.  What a perfect story of sacrifice and selflessness.