by Shivanee Ramlochan, Paper Based Blogger

Origin stories — those tales that tell us the fascinating and legendary sources of our history — have long illuminated the world of children’s literature. There are scores of picture books devoted to the making of the world by a Creator’s hand, and it would not be inaccurate to add Caliebirri to the ranks of such imaginative folklore. However, what makes this simple, spellbinding narrative doubly effective is that it suits both young and adult palates. This enchanting, whimsical myth sheds light on a creation parable sacred to the Hivi/Guahibo peoples of Colombia and Venezuela. It is in Venezuela that this story is set — in the village of Cuideido (now called Santa Rita), in a time when “all the people were animals, because in the beginning, people were animals and the animals behaved like human beings.”

Using unornamented yet vivid text from Luis Blanco (translated by Bunty O’Connor), and incorporating black and white illustrations by Alfredo Almeida, Caliebirri is equal parts captivating and educational. It’s easy to see why Caribbean lifestyle blog, Designer Island Life, signalled this handbound gem as one of their 2013 Christmas List picks: they heralded it as nothing less than “a labour of love.”

Each book comes with a gorgeous, unique macaw feather-bookmark (painlessly donated by their avian owners!)

We at Paper Based agree: there’s something undeniably special about going on this adventure, about holding this string-bound marvel of a story in one’s hands while reading it aloud to wide-eyed toddlers, or savouring it privately. As you share in the wonder of discovering the remarkable, multiple-fruit bearing Caliebirri tree, alongside these intrepid forest creatures, you will be reminded of the power, and permanence, of so many ancestral fables. This is why we’re especially glad it’s our first book spotlight of 2014!