Toads and Diamonds

By Tomlinson, Heather

Publishers Summary:
Diribani has come to the village well to get water for her family's scant meal of curry and rice. She never expected to meet a goddess there. Yet she is granted a remarkable gift: Flowers and precious jewels drop from her lips whenever she speaks.It seems only right to Tana that the goddess judged her kind, lovely stepsister worthy of such riches. And when she encounters the goddess, she is not surprised to find herself speaking snakes and toads as a reward.Blessings and curses are never so clear as they might seem, however. Diribani’s newfound wealth brings her a prince—and an attempt on her life. Tana is chased out of the village because the province's governor fears snakes, yet thousands are dying of a plague spread by rats. As the sisters' fates hang in the balance, each struggles to understand her gift. Will it bring her wisdom, good fortune, love . . . or death?

 Not Rated. Be the first to rate this product!

ISBN
978-0-80508-968-4
Publisher


REVIEWS

School Library Journal

Starred Review on July 1, 2010

Gr 7 Up—This is an impressive reimagining of Perrault's classic tale, set in precolonial India. Stepsisters Diribani and Tana are on the edge of poverty when they are blessed and cursed by the goddess Naghali-ji. Diribani, the beautiful and polite one, speaks flowers and jewels every time a sound is uttered from her perfect lips, while Tana, often rude, speaks toads and snakes. Soon Diribani ...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

Horn Book Guide

Reviewed on January 1, 2010

After meeting a goddess, jewels fall from Diribani's lips when she speaks and her pragmatic stepsister, Tana, is able ...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

Junior Library Guild

Reviewed on June 1, 2010

Heather Tomlinson turns the Charles Perrault classic fairy tale on its head: the sisters’ story now begins, rather than ends, with their magical transformations. In this version, the relative value of the sisters’ gifts is not immediately apparent. Diribani’s gift wins her a hand...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

Become a Pro


This feature is only available to Pro subscribers. Please log in, or upgrade your subscription.

Add To My List

cover
by

This feature is only available to Pro subscribers. Please log in, or upgrade your subscription.

Export


This feature is only available to Pro subscribers. Please log in, or upgrade your subscription.

Save List Search Query


This feature is only available to Pro subscribers. Please log in, or upgrade your subscription.

Follow Lists


This feature is only available to Pro subscribers. Please log in, or upgrade your subscription.