About Tilbury House
Editorial Guidelines
Ordering Information
Katia Novet Saint-Lot
Illustrated by Dimitrea Tokunbo
Available: May 2008
Hardcover, $16.95
ISBN 978-0-88448-298-7
Children / Multicultural
CHILDREN'S BOOKS:
AMADI'S SNOWMAN—NewGIVE A GOAT—New
UNDER THE NIGHT SKY—New
CARPET BOY'S GIFT, THE
EVERYBODY'S SOMEBODY'S LUNCH
GIFT FOR GITA, A
GOAT LADY, THE
HEALTHY FOODS FROM HEALTHY SOILS
JUST FOR ELEPHANTS
KEEP YOUR EAR ON THE BALL
LIFE UNDER ICE
LIGHTS FOR GITA
LUCY'S FAMILY TREE
MUSHROOM MAN, THE
MUSKRAT WILL BE SWIMMING
OPENING DAY
OUR FRIENDSHIP RULES
PLAYING WAR
PROJECT PUFFIN
ROSES FOR GITA
SARAH'S BOAT
SAVING BIRDS
SAY SOMETHING
SEA SOUP: PHYTOPLANKTON
SEA SOUP: ZOOPLANKTON
SHELTERWOOD
SHY MAMA'S HALLOWEEN
SPIRT THAT MOVES US, THE (VOL.I)
SPIRT THAT MOVES US, THE (VOL.II)
SPIRT THAT MOVES US, THE (VOL.III)
STONE WALL SECRETS
TALKING WALLS
TALKING WALLS: THE STORIES CONTINUE
THANKS TO THE ANIMALS
TRAVELS WITH TARRA
VERY BEST BED, THE
WELCOMING BABIES
WHEN THE BEES FLY HOME
WHO BELONGS HERE
- "Amadi's Snowman is a beautiful tribute to the power of reading and one boy's journey of self-discovery through books. Dimitrea Tokunbo's evocative illustrations underscore the loving interchange between a mother and son. The richly hued paintings invite us to enjoy Nigeria's many splendors and provide the perfect stage for Katia Novet Saint-Lot's imaginative story." —Andrea Davis Pinkney, Coretta Scott King Honor Author of Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters
- "Katia Novet Saint-Lot has given us an important and moving glimpse into the curiosity, wonder, and knowledge a book can bring—and into the life of children in modern African cities. As Yohannes Gebregeorgis, founder of Ethiopia Reads, says, 'Books change lives.' How terrific to have a story that shows how and why." —Jane Kurtz, Children's Book Author
- "Amadi's first-ever glimpse at a snowman—one depicted in the pages of a book—inspires him to transform from a resistant to an enthusiastic student of reading. Children will identify with Amadi's initial reluctance, his mixed feelings about a new challenge, and his attempts to rationalize staying the same. Yet they also will likely be inspired, as Amadi is, by the possibilities of reading, the way it can fill one's heart and shine a light on the unknown." —Cynthia Leitich Smith, Children's Book Author
Author Katia Novet Saint-Lot grew up in Paris but spent her summers visiting her mother's family in Spain. She also lived in the U.K and the U.S. Her husband's work for UNICEF took them to Nigeria and provided the background for Amadi's story. They now live in India with their two daughters. As a child, Katia loved reading more than anything else. She also dreamed of becoming a writer and longed for travels to faraway places—she's now busy living her dreams with her family.
Illustrator Dimitrea Tokunbo brings to life the day-to-day experiences of life in Nigeria, where her father grew up. "I want to represent the beauty of all children. I feel that growing up biracial, having a direct connection to two different cultures in the American context, gives my art a spirit and spark that speaks to the children who were overlooked when I was a child." Dimitrea illustrated two children's books for Boyds Mills Press, Sidewalk Chalk: Poems of the City by Carole Boston Weatherford, and Has Anybody Lost a Glove? by G. Francis Johnson. Dimitrea has written one children's book for Cartwheel Books (a Scholastic imprint), Together, illustrated by Jennifer Gwynne Oliver, and has a new book coming out next year with Scholastic, The Sound of Kwanzaa, illustrated by Lisa Cohen. Dimitrea enjoys visiting schools and libraries to share her stories with children. She lives in New York City with her two daughters.
TEACHERS TAKE NOTE
Amadi is a reluctant reader who discovers for himself why reading can be both informative and fun.
Amadi's Snowman can be used as part of a curriculum that explores the subject of books and reading in daily life. It is an excellent book to share with ANY child who may not feel motivated to read.
In addition, Amadi's Snowman can be used as part of a curriculum that seeks to introduce elementary aged children to the diverse and interesting African country of Nigeria.
Below please find discussion points, activities, and resources addressing Amadi's story in particular and Nigeria in general.
Discussion Points:
- Why does Amadi argue with his mother?
- What are the things Amadi likes to do in this story?
- What does Amadi NOT like to do?
- How are you similar to or different from Amadi?
- Does Amadi remind you of anyone you know?
- Where did you learn to read?
- Who are the people who taught you how to read?
- How is Amadi's home and village similar or different from your own?
- Have you ever been to a farmers' market? Is it like the one Amadi visits?
- Amadi isn't going to school in this story. Why do you think he isn't going to school? (Please see Heads Up! below.)
- Amadi is very curious about the snowman he sees in the picture book Chima is reading. Have you ever seen anything in a picture book that made you feel very curious?
- Amadi belongs to the Igbo tribe in Nigeria. Do you know anyone who belongs to a tribe here in the United States? (Teachers—you may want to identify the tribes indigenous to your geographic region.)
Avoiding biases and stereotypes: Here are some facts to help avoid the stereotyping of Nigeria as "just another African country that does not offer free school," or Amadi as "just another African kid who is not in school."
In the 1970s school in Nigeria was free for all children. An economic crisis in the 1990s, however, caused the Nigerian schools to decentralize, which resulted in some schools needing to charge fees. Even where schools are free, not all children who can attend do attend.
The most recent statistics on attendance are as follows:
- 60.1% of all children of primary school age attend primary school
- 63.7% boys
- 56.5% girls
Demographic and Health Survey, 2003, (From http://huebler.blogspot.com/2005/10/ primary-school-attendance-in-nigeria.html)
- Depending on where a family lives, school may or may not be free.
- The children may live too far from the school to attend on a regular basis.
- Parents might want their children to attend school, but they might also need their children at home to help earn money or do chores.
- Parents of girls from some traditional or religious families might feel school is unnecessary for their daughters.
- You can scroll down the very interesting statistics listings to find schooling information at
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/nigeria_statistics.html . - For information on how shifting teacher/student relationships from authoritative to parental helped increase school attendance:
http://www.teacherswithoutborders.org/pdf/nigprogramau.pdf . - For an exploration of Nigerian children's school attendance records in reference to household income—those from wealthier families were more likely to attend school—please see:
http://mysite.verizon.net/huebler/2006/20060121_nigeria_wealth.html . - This site from Cornell University examines how gender might influence school attendance, as well as how economic status influences school attendance:
http://www.saga.cornell.edu/saga/educconf/okpukpara.pdf .
- Draw a map of Amadi's morning activities from home to the market and back home again. Add lots of details.
- Find Nigeria on the map or globe. Make up a story about how you would travel there from your home. Your story can be told in writing, in words, in pictures or in movement/acting.
- Research a game children play in Nigeria. Try it out.
- To remind everyone of what it must be like to be unable to read: Create signs for your classroom or school written in different languages, languages your pupils are unlikely to know (maybe even in different alphabets). Ask them to follow the path to a big reward by reading the directions on those signs (you could have a few in English). (You can aid them with a translation and explanation of the languages/alphabets when they get frustrated. The big reward can be a special snack.)
- Cook and eat fried plantains. Find out what other foods Amadi might eat.
Picture Books of Nigerian Folk Tales and Stories about Nigeria:
It might be fun to completely immerse your class with Nigerian stories. Here is a long list to help:
Beat the Storm-Drum, Pum-Pum by Ashley Bryan
Bikes for Rent! by Isaac Olalaye
Bitter Bananas by Isaac Olalaye
Chinye: A West African Folk Tale by Obi Onyefulu
The Dancing Palm Tree: And Other Nigerian Folktales by Barbara K. Walker
The Day Ocean Came to Visit by Diane Wolkstein
Distant Talking Drum: Poems from Nigeria by Isaac Olaleye
The Flying Tortoise: An Igboo Tale by Tololwa M. Mollel
Grandfather's Work: A Traditional Healer in Nigeria by Ifeoma Onyefulu
In the Rainfield: Who is the Greatest? by Isaac Olaleye
Lake of the Big Snake by Isaac Olaleye
The Magic Tree: A Folktale from Nigeria by T. Obinkaram Echewa
Master Man: A Tale of Nigeria by Aaron Shepard
Why the Sky is Far Away by Mary-Jaon Gerson
Other Books Your Students Might Enjoy:
Madoulina: A Girl Who Wanted to Go to School. A Story from West Africa, By Joel Eboueme Bognomo. (Boyds Mills Press, 1999).
Eight-year old Madoulina, who lives in Cameroon, loves school and dreams of becoming a doctor. But her mother needs her help selling fritters in the marketplace. Until a kind teacher steps forward, offering a solution, Madoulina is afraid she will never reach her dreams.
Running the Road to ABC, By Denize Lauture. Illustrated by Reynold Ruffins. (Aladdin Paperbacks, 1996).
In a joyous celebration of attending school, six Haitian children run at daybreak through fields, markets and town to arrive at their school house to learn.
Market! By Ted Lewin (Lothrop Lee & Shepherd, 1996)
A beautiful look at what is available for sale at marketplaces all over the world from Ugandan cows to fish in New York City.
To Explore Nigeria, Try These Websites:
For information on the Igbo people of Nigeria, try: http://culture.chiamaka.com/igbopeoplesoc.html
This website contains great information on Nigeria from history timeline to native lingo to a sightseeing guide: http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/hh/goplaces/main/0,20344,1044380,00.html
This website has neat information about family structure, games, and food in Nigeria: http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0930071.html
For basic almanac information try: http://worldalmanacforkids.com/explore/nations/nigeria.html#fw..ni045800.a30.c20
|