Review: The Shadows of Ghadames by Joelle Stolz

The Shadows of Ghadames by Joëlle Stolz

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Stolz, Joëlle. 2004. The Shadows of Ghadames.  Trans. by Catherine Temerson. New York: Delacorte Press. ISBN 0385731043

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Malika is 12 years old and living in Ghadames, a city in Libya. As a young Muslim girl almost at marriageable age, she is not allowed to leave her home except for special occasions, and must be satisfied with staying home. Malika’s greatest wish is to learn to read like her brother and travel to far away places like her father. The women of Ghadames live their lives and entertain one another on their roofs high above the city. After Malika’s father leaves to sell his goods in far away cities, Malika, her mother, and her mother’s second wife take in a man who had been injured on the street. As they nurse him back to health in secrecy, Abdelkarim grants Malika her fondest wish, and teaches her to read.

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Despite cultural differences, Malika appears to be a typical 12 year old girl. She has great respect for her mother and father, and fights good naturedly with her half brother Jasim. Stolz fills the pages of her novel with cultural markers specific to a Muslim household. Malika’s mother Meriem is described as having fairly light skin, and is a strict follower of the rules binding Muslim women of the time period. She has not left her home except to go to the baths since her marriage and expects Malika to behave in the same way. Meriem does not approve of allowing Abdelkarim to stay as he recovers from his attack, and has to be persuaded to allow him to teach Malika to read Arabic. Bilkisu, the “wife from the journey” is described as having darker skin and a more relaxed way of interacting with others.

Rituals and religious practices are described in great detail and with great importance by the author. An oil lamp is moved to indicate the man of the house, Malika’s father, has gone on his trip. This lets all the neighboring homes know that men should not come to visit because the women are alone in the home. On the way to the women’s baths, the women must stand in recessed areas of the street when a man is coming, to avoid contact with him. Malika, her mother, and Bilkisu attend one of many night ceremonies which are women only, and are one of the only times they are allowed to freely leave the city without the accompaniment of a male relative. The women engage in the “women’s market” that takes place on the rooftops with women selling their items and engaging in gossip while relaxing their way of dressing because men are not in attendance. Stolz describes the way women let their veils drop, ankles and legs show, and don’t bother to hide their numerous blue tattoos.

The descriptions of the dark and mazelike Ghadames streets make the reader feel as though they were inside the story. Although the setting is described brilliantly, Stolz does not describe the time period in which this story takes place until the Author’s Note. This novel is slim, but is filled with extensive details about Muslim life in the 19^th century. Any reader should be able to sympathize with the theme of The Shadows of Ghadames. How can someone remain respectful and true to their beliefs, but still be allowed to follow their dreams?

4. AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

2005 Batchelder Award Winner

Starred review in Booklist: “The vivid backdrop is intoxicating, but the story's universal concerns will touch readers most: sibling jealously, confusion about adult customs, and a growing interest in a world beyond family.”

Review in School Library Journal: “The imprecise use of language may make it difficult for readers to visualize this distant world and to understand the characters' motivations. Still, this novel would be useful in schools studying this part of the world.”

5. CONNECTIONS

* This book would be useful in a discussion on the differences between growing up in Libya versus America.

*Other books about young girls from Middle Eastern countries:
Naidoo, Beverly. The Other Side of Truth. ISBN 9780064410021
Nye, Naomi  Shihab. Habibi. ISBN 9780689825231
Staples, Suzanne Fisher. Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind. ISBN 9780440238560
Staples, Suzanne Fisher. Haveli. ISBN 9780679865698

Review: Hello Baby! by Mem Fox

Hello Baby! by Mem Fox

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Fox, Mem. 2009. Hello Baby!. Ill. by Steve Jenkins. New York: Beach Lane Books. ISBN 9781416985136

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Hello Baby! is a picture book exploring babies of various wild animals as the narrator asks the reader what kind of baby he/she is. The picture book continues with illustrations of animals and questions such as “Are you a monkey with clever toes?” Each animal is given a double page, brightly colored illustration. The book opens with an illustration of a child’s hand and closes with the hands of a parent and child reaching for one another.   

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Mem Fox uses simply rhymes that are easily understood by young children. This book can be an interactive experience when reading to an audience. Lines such as “Are you a lion with dust on its paws?” and “Are you a monkey with clever toes?” invite enthusiastic responses. No specific cultural makers exist in the text or any of the illustrations. There are no indications as to the gender, country of origin, language, or other characteristics of the parent and baby indicated in the text, with only the briefest of illustrations to indicate race. Without knowing the author’s background, the setting and origin of these exotic animals would remain a mystery. However, Fox, currently residing in Australia, indicates in her personal website that Hello Baby! is based on her childhood growing up in Africa.

Steve Jenkins contributes his signature realistic construction paper animals that bring life to Fox’s writing. The brilliantly colored animals jump off the page, and feel as though they are interacting with the reader. Jenkins adds another nice touch, by including a full silhouette of every animal placed near the text. The details provided by Jenkins are striking, and although they may not be noticed by very young children, adults are sure to be impressed with his artistic abilities. For example, the eyes of each animal are incredibly lifelike, and they look as though they are staring straight at the reader. Somehow Jenkins manipulates construction paper to create the delicate feathers of an eagle and sharp quills of a porcupine with remarkable skill.

The only issue regarding illustrations would be the lack of backgrounds and details about the general environment of the animals. It is understandable that Jenkins wanted to keep the focus on the animals, but I believe children would be curious as to where the animals are located. There is no way to know if they are in a zoo, in America or another country, or in various other locations.

Hello Baby! is a small, easy to follow picture book that may be too simplistic for older kids, but would be a big hit with babies, toddlers or preschoolers. The generic reference to the “baby” in the text allows any child to put himself/herself in the position of being the “treasure”.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Starred review in Publisher’s Weekly: “Like her Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, Fox's newest has all the marks of a lap-sit classic.”

Starred review in Kirkus: “This picture book brims with fascinating animals, brilliant words and engaging artwork; it begs for cozy nightly readings.”

Positive review in Booklist: “As in her best-selling title Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes (2008), a Booklist Editors’ Choice selection, Fox creates an affectionate, singsong picture book directed straight at small children.”

5. CONNECTIONS

* Use this picture book in a baby storytime or animal storytime. Engage children in responses to each page.

* Author Mem Fox reads aloud many of her children’s books: http://www.memfox.net/mem-reads-aloud

* Mem Fox’s Hello Baby! webpage with additional information on the inspiration behind the book.

*A small selection of children’s books by Mem Fox:
Koala Lou. ISBN 9780786819881
Wombat Divine. ISBN 9780152020965
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes. ISBN 9780152060572
Whoever You Are. ISBN 9780152164065
Possum Magic. ISBN 9781862910959

Review: I Am Different! Can You Find Me? by Manjula Padmanabhan

I Am Different! Can You Find Me? by Manjula Padmanabhan

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Padmanabhan, Manjula. 2011. I Am Different! Can You Find Me? Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge. ISBN 9781570916397

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

I Am Different! is a children’s picture book created to show kids how interesting and fun learning about new cultures can be. Each page focuses on a different language from somewhere in the world, and highlights the phrase “Can you find me?” in that language. The phonetic pronunciation is included for each language to help readers speak the words properly. Each page also has a brief paragraph explaining more details about how widely the language is spoken and additional words from that language. The accompanying illustrations include a group of images, flowers, cars, ladders, etc., and ask the reader to find which object is different from the others on the page.

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Padmanabhan has created a children’s book that is not only brimming with positivity and excitement but also includes fun puzzles guaranteed to interest young readers. The inclusion of a brief essay regarding languages around the world showcases Padmanabhan’s purpose for creating this book. She stresses the importance of not only noticing the differences in languages but also the similarities. The author includes well know languages like English, Chinese, and Italian, as well as dedicating pages to lesser known languages like Cree, Hawaiian, and Nahuatl. My favorite language showcased is American Sign Language, complete with pictures and instructions for the creation of the signs.

The text does not refer to physical descriptions, but emphasizes the importance of each language and the geographic locations of where the language is spoken. Occasionally Padmanabhan will include facts relating to the importance of the language. When referring to Navajo, Padmanabhan describes how that language was used to help create a code used in World War II. She makes each language appear unique and special, encourage her readers to learn more about languages spoken around the world.

The illustrations, also by Padmanabhan, showcase her background in cartooning and illustration for children. The illustrations are simply done with bright colors and pleasing shapes. There is one object on each page that is different from the others, and the author provides a key at the end of the book indicating the correct answer. However, she is quick to point out that there may be more than one correct answer and encourages her readers to let her know if other differences were found. Most of the illustrations are objects rather than human images. The Hawaiian language and American Sign Language are the only 2 instances in the book which have representations of someone who might speak that language. Cartoon versions of young Hawaiian girl’s faces, with dark skin and dark hair, are prominently displayed on the Hawaiian page. The American Sign Language page has photographs of a young, presumably American boy making the signs for “Can you find me”. Other than those 2 examples, it isn’t clear whether or not Padmanabhan tried to match her illustrations to the subject language or if they were chosen at random. The illustrations are clear enough that children of any age should be able to spot the one item that is different from the others.

I Am Different! Can You Find Me? is an excellent choice for introducing the differences and similarities of different languages and cultures from all over the world.

4. AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

2012 USBBY’s Outstanding International Book Winner (K-2^nd grade)

Positive review in Kirkus: “A substantive, engaging title for multilingual education. Bravo!”

Positive review in Booklist: “This colorful, original picture book provides an intriguing introduction to languages as well as differences.”

Review in Publisher’s Weekly: “Many of the distinctions are quite subtle (one straight line among curvy ones; a box without a match, a ladder with different colored rungs), which points to the book's understated message about the subjective nature of difference, but may frustrate readers.”

5. CONNECTIONS

* Use in a discussion on world cultures and languages. Teach the children new words using the pronunciation guides on each page.

*Global Fund for Children books celebrating diversity:

Ajmera, Maya and Ivanko, John D. Come Out and Play. ISBN 9781570913853

Ajmera, Maya and Ivanko, John D. To Be a Kid. ISBN 9780881068412

Ajmera, Maya and Regan, Michael. Let the Games Begin. ISBN 9780881060676

Global Fund for Children. Global Babies. ISBN 9781580891745