| Rationale
for Choice:
This book has been chosen because we were interested in the main character
of the book, who is popular in the Catalan children's environment. Also,
we had chosen this book because it has many Catalan cultural references.
Re-telling
This book wants to shows us different aspects related to the Catalan
culture.
Patufet in Montserrat , on the one hand, deals with different religious
aspects related to our culture and tradition. On the other hand, it reflects
lots of typical things of our country regarding food, customs, dances
and so on.
The book tells the story of Patufet, a small boy who dreams about going
to Montserrat . After getting good results at school, his father decided
to give him a reward: going to Montserrat .
The next morning, Patufet and his family took the bus to start their
journey to Montserrat After a little stop in Abrera, they got to their
destination. In Montserrat 's abbey, Patufet visits the Virgin Mary and
the baby Jesus.
On the way back to their home, they stopped in Saint Jeroni where they
bought some typical products. After lunch time, they went to see the altar
boys singing the Virolai, the Virgin's song.
After seeing that performance, he realized that he wanted to be a Montserrat
altar boy.
In the afternoon, they went to the main square to see the sardana dance,
in which Patufet took part.
Finally, after such a lovely day, they went back home and Patufet prayed
to the Virgin Mary to be an altar boy in her choir.
Translation:
PAGE 1
As Patufet was a very dedicated and serious student, the teacher
gave him a medal. When he arrived home his father said to him: “Well,
you behave so well, that you should have a reward. Tell me, my son, what
is your desire? “I want to go to Montserrat !”
PAGE 2
The night before going to Montserrat Patufet was so excited that
he couldn't sleep. A nightingale friend of his, stood at the window of
his bedroom and told him: “Come on little boy, go to bed to rest, because
tomorrow you must have an early start to go to Montserrat! I will sing
you a lullaby to get you by!”.
PAGE 3
At eight o'clock in the morning they were already at University
Square to catch the bus: Patufet, his parents, and also his faithful and
inseparable companion, Rednose, the dog. They had a basket of apples to
give to the Virgin Mary, and a baby pigeon for the baby Jesus.
PAGE 4:
When they went through Abrera, very famous for its glass pitchers,
Patufet's mother bought a little one for him and said: “Come on son, drink
from the glass pitcher so that your not thirsty”. Imagine how happy Patufet
was!
PAGE 5:
When Patufet wanted to kiss The Virgin Mary's hand, he couldn't
reach her hand. Because he was so tiny! Luckily, some angels saw him and
rushed to help him! “God be with you, and you too dear Virgin Marie! As
I am so small they had to bring me a stool.
PAGE 6:
Later, they went up to Saint Jeroni. Patufet was not afraid,
he only said: “Father, are we already in heaven?” “Not yet Patufet, but
we will soon be there! What a high mountain! And what a nice view!” And
they just felt they were half way to Glory!
PAGE 7:
In the way back from Saint Jeroni they went to buy some curds
cheese. Patufet started to eat small bites from his cheese. “Patufet,
we haven't had lunch yet, you shouldn't eat your cheese yet!” said her
mother. “Oh mum, it's so good and I like to eat so much that I have got
to start!” Everybody knows that in Montserrat you will find the best curds
cheese!
PAGE 8:
At lunch time, Patufet whistled to the birds and they ran to
help him to get some sticks to light a fire. “Oh, isn't that food delicious?
So here is some for you too, my little doggy friend!” As he was enjoying
the food so much, he said: “this is a finger-licking food!”
PAGE 9:
As the choir was singing the Virolai, the Virgin's song, Patufet
said: “Mom, these are nightingales dressed as monks.” “No son, can you
see it? They are altar boys!” “Then, I want to be one of them! A Montserrat
altar boy!” “We will talk about it later, Patufet! Take it easy and don't
rush it!”
PAGE 10:
When the altar boys discovered that Patufet was there, they rushed
to meet him. Patufet was very happy! He started to tell them his life
experience about the cabbage and the ox and many more that they didn't
know about!.
PAGE 11:
At the main square, no one could dance the “sardana” like Patufet.
People said: “Look how he dances! He stands out like a spinning top!”.
His parents thought: “if the Virgin wants to, he will be a nightingale
singing in day and night in her choir!”
PAGE 12:
After such a lovely day, they went back home and went to bed.
Patufet went down on his knees and asked with fervour: “My dear Princess,
I beg with all my heart to allow me some day to be in your choir!”
Activities
for use in school:
• The Sardana :
The sardana is a type of folk dance, typical of Catalonia
. There are two main types, the original sardana curta (short
sardana) style and the more modern sardana llarga (long sardana),
which is more popular.
Nobody knows when the sardana originated, but it has been popular since
the 16th century.
 The
music for the sardana is played by a cobla
(traditional music band) and a band consisting of 10 wind instruments.
The porró :
A porró is a traditional glass wine pitcher
, traditional in Catalonia
.
It is a recipient made of glass used to drink wine. It has a peculiar
and special shape.The base of the object is round and bigger than the
top, which is narrow and can be covered with a cork. The glass pitcher
has a spout where the wine comes out like a spurt. Nowadays, in general
it is not used in our daily meals, just in some traditional celebrations.
Montserrat 's mountain:
Montserrat is a mountain
near Barcelona ,
in Catalonia , which
is 720 meters over the sea level. " Montserrat " means "jagged
mountain" in Catalan
. It describes the peculiar aspect of the rock formation, which is
visible from a large distance. In we can find the Montserrat 's abbey
and the Virgin Mary and the Baby Jesus statue.
The Morenenta :
It is a manifestation of the Virgin Mary and she is known as
“La Moreneta”. She is located in the mountain range called Montserrat
. She has become a symbol for Catalonia attracting the faithful and lots
of tourists. The people honour her on the 27 of April. She is a golden
image except for the hands and the face, and it's made of wood.
Abrera:
Abrera is a small village located in the area of the Baix
Llobregat , in Catalonia
. The village is near Montserrat Mountain , specifically in the south
east.
The Virolai:
Virolai is the hymn dedicated to Montserrat mother's God. It
is also known as “Rosa d'abril” as it is said several times at the beginning
of the hymn. It was written by Jacint Verdaguer and the music was composed
by Josep Rodereda.
Reflection:
This book reflects one of the biggest cultural traditions of
our country. It explains in a few pages lots of aspects of Catalonia 's
culture.
NB
Further
literature and language-based activities can be found in
Picture Books sans Frontières available
from tb@trentham-books.co.uk
or www.amazon.co.uk
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