The story of the good Samaritan is a family favorite so I knew I was going to enjoy this African twist! I didn’t mention anything before I sat down to read Sikulu & Harambe to the girls, I LOVE when they get things themselves. Boy 2001 was in the room playing with legos and when I started reading I could see a sense of knowing rush over him. He hustled over to see the pictures.
After reading the story we talked about it for a while, the kids loved that the heroes were animals, especially the spider with the bangles! This is a story that gently gets kids thinking about service to other people. It’s not preachy but gets the point across! Most kids know what it feels like to need help and not get it so they can immediately relate to the lady’s unanswered cries.
There are wonderful elements of African culture and life weaved into the story. Girl2004 was fascinated that people do their laundry in the river and at the same time they play hide-and-seek! Books are a great way to take your kids to a far away land… Sikulu and Harambe are sure to become favorites so be sure to check out the plush animals available at the website. The illustrations and writing, simply put, is excellent! The drawings are gentle and the story is simple but powerful making it a great choice for all children.
Sikulu and Harambe has great info for kids! Topics include:
- Zambia and Africa more generally
- animals like elephants, spiders, hippopatamus, yellow-billed stork
- Ku-omboka ceremony
- Lozi people
- Zambezi River
Sikulu & Harambe by Kunle Oguneye. Illustrations by Bruce McCorkindale.
I have a really cute vid of girl2006 putting this book on our bookshelves! I need to get it on the web, sooo cute. She loves putting her books on her shelf, sometimes if she’s lost interest in a book while I’m reading she’ll try to close it in my hands to put it away. I guess it’s a habit only a mother could find cute. I should note that she does not do that when I’m reading Sikulu and Harambe, she likes me to define all the words in the glossary!
Enjoy this book with the special children in your life.
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Sikulu & Harambe By The Zambezi River Book Blog Tour | Parent Reviewers says:
[...] Pajama Mom – There are wonderful elements of African culture and life weaved into the story. Girl2004 was fascinated that people do their laundry in the river and at the same time they play hide-and-seek! Books are a great way to take your kids to a far away land… Sikulu and Harambe are sure to become favorites so be sure to check out the plush animals available at the website. The illustrations and writing, simpley put, is excellent! The drawings are gentle and the story is simple but powerful making it a great choice for all children. [...]
March 2nd, 2009 at 3:48 am