This was one of my all time favorite picture/story books as a child and I was blown away when I learned there was an animation of it (which I didn't discover until my teens or something). Gerald McDermott, the illustrator, actually made this film himself as head artist and animator. Next to this book, my other favorite was his storybook take on the Anansi The Spider myth.
Wasn't aware that it was a picture story until... you know... the internet.
But I do recall in high school watching this in my English class just mesmerized by the art, animation, and the music. I spent the next few months drawing crazy geometric headgear and corn women.
loved this book as a child. had no idea about the film! my daughter didnt get it at all when i read the book to her. although she liked The Sunflower garden cuz the main character was an Indian girl.