Contents
Guide
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-folktales-
THE BIRD
SWEET
MAGIC
An Imprint of Magic Wagon
abdobooks.com
by Christine Platt
illustrated by Evelt Yanait
About the Author
Christine A. Platt is an author and scholar of African and
African-American history. A beloved storyteller of the African
diaspora, Christine enjoys writing historical fiction and non-fiction
for people of all ages. You can learn more about her and her
work at christineaplatt.com.
For the storytellers who capture and
preserve histories--thank you! CP
To my ta Mari Carmen, my earliest inspiration EY
abdobooks.com
Published by Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO, PO Box 398166, Minneapolis, Minnesota
55439. Copyright 2022 by Abdo Consulting Group, Inc. International copyrights reserved in
all countries. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission
from the publisher. Calico Kid is a trademark and logo of Magic Wagon.
Printed in the United States of America, North Mankato, Minnesota.
052021
092021
Written by Christine Platt
Illustrated by Evelt Yanait
Edited by Tyler Gieseke
Art Directed by Candice Keimig
Library of Congress Control Number: 2020948607
Publishers Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Platt, Christine, author. | Yanait, Evelt, illustrator.
Title: The bird sweet magic / by Christine Platt : illustrated by Evelt Yanait
Description: Minneapolis, Minnesota : Magic Wagon, 2022 | Series: Folktales
Summary: In this Latin American folktale, three princes search for a magical bird to cure their
fathers blindness, but when the youngest brother earns the birds help, the others grow
jealous.
Identifiers: ISBN 9781098230234 (lib. bdg.) | ISBN 9781098230791 (ebook) | ISBN
9781098231071 (Read-to-Me ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Folk literature, Costa Rican--Juvenile literature. | Catastrophic illness--Juvenile
literature. | Kings and rulers--Juvenile literature. | Brothers--Juvenile literature. | Folktales--
Juvenile literature.
Classification: DDC 398.2--dc23
Table of Contents
Chapter #1
THE THREE
BROTHERS
In Latin America, children are told
stories about legends that must be true.
Otherwise, they wouldnt exist. Right?
This is the legend of Pedro, the
youngest of three princes. He lived in
a large castle in a magical kingdom.
The Queen was said to be a kind
woman. The King was very brave.
There was one thing his sons
wanted more than anything in the
world to cure their fathers blindness.
One day, the oldest brother said,
Brothers, listen! I have heard there
is a bird with magical healing powers
that can help cure Father.
Where can we find this bird?
Pedro asked excitedly.
I dont know, the eldest brother
confessed. All I know is that its very
beautiful. People call it the Bird Sweet
Magic.
I think we should try to find the
Bird Sweet Magic, Pedro said.
Other birds were easy to catch.
But not the Bird Sweet Magic! It only
showed itself to people who deserved
to see it.
So, Pedro and his brothers agreed
to try to find the Bird Sweet Magic
and cure their fathers blindness.
Chapter #2
A SPECIAL
SPIRIT
Pedro and his brothers traveled
throughout the kingdom in search of
the Bird Sweet Magic. But, no matter
where they went, they couldnt find
the creature.
At the lake they asked fishermen,
Have any of you ever seen the
Bird Sweet Magic?
But the fishermen all said they
had never seen the magical bird near
the lake.
Pedro and his brothers
continued to search. They asked
their neighbors. They even asked
some animals. But no one could
help them.
Soon, the boys grew tired.
Lets just give up, Pedros
older brothers said. Pedro didnt
want to give up, but he had
to listen to his brothers.
On the way back to the castle, the
brothers passed by a church. To their
surprise, a mans body was on the
front steps.
How sad, Pedro said. His family
must not have enough money to pay
for his burial.
Who cares? Pedros brothers kept
walking.
But Pedro gave money to the
church for the mans funeral.
The next night, a spirit appeared
and said, Pedro, thank you for
paying for my burial. Because you
are so kind, I will help you find the
Bird Sweet Magic.
Thank you! Pedro couldnt believe
his small kindness brought such good
fortune.
Chapter #3
SPECIAL
GIFTS
The spirit was very nice. And fun!
He took Pedro on an adventure.
Pedro, have you ever seen a flying
horse? the spirit asked.
No, but I would love to! Pedro
smiled. He followed the spirit to a
secret pasture. There, Pedro
met a beautiful horse with
two large wings.
Wow! Pedro said. The horse
knelt, and Pedro climbed onto its
back. They flew among the clouds.
Have you ever met a princess?
the spirit asked Pedro next.
No, but I would love to! Pedro
smiled.
Pedro followed the spirit to a
towering castle. On the balcony, a
smart, kind princess welcomed them.
I have never met a prince, she said
excitedly. Or a flying horse. Pedro,
you must be very special.
Pedro helped her climb on the
horses back. Together, they laughed
as they flew from kingdom to
kingdom.
Pedro, I know you have been
searching for the Bird Sweet Magic,
the spirit said. Because you are a
kind, deserving boy, he will come to
you now.
Suddenly, a beautiful bird with
colorful feathers appeared. Bird
Sweet Magic, will you please cure
my fathers blindness? Pedro asked.
Yes. It would be an honor to help
you, the Bird Sweet Magic said.
Pedro could not wait to show his
brothers his three new special gifts!
And he couldnt wait for the Bird
Sweet Magic to help his father see.
Chapter #4
A MAGIC
CURE
As soon as Pedro got home, he
said, Brothers! You wont believe my
good fortune! The spirit of the man I
helped gave me three gifts. They are
a flying horse, a new friend, and the
Bird Sweet Magic!
Instead of being happy, Pedros
brothers were jealous. They decided
to push Pedro off a cliff. Then, they
would take credit for finding the Bird
Sweet Magic.
The brothers thought their plan
was a good one. But the Bird Sweet
Magic overheard them. It made a
