(4) K-3 Kamanya, a Tirio Indian boy, admires the village medicine man, who heals with natural substances he finds in the rainforest. The shaman loses the respect of the villagers when missionaries introduce pills and synthetic medications, but a visiting researcher later explains that these modern medications are derived from rainforest ingredients. More purposeful than dramatic, the story is illustrated with somewhat static watercolors. An author's note provides additional information.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.