Amadi's Snowman (Hardcover), by Katia Novet Saint-Lot. Set in Nigeria, Amadi's Snowman tells the story of a young boy who dreams of being a businessman. He has a knack for math, and sees no need for him to learn to read, despite his mother and a well-meaning neighbor's attempts to teach him. But when Amadi spots a boy at the market reading a book about a snowman, and learns what snow is for the first time, he realizes how much books can teach him, and how much he is missing. Walking home from the market, "the sign boards on the roadside seemed to laugh at him, their giant letters taunting him, daring him to understand their meaning." When the neighbor gifts him with the book, he resolves to learn to read, and "his heart is filled with joy." A beautiful story about literacy, Africa, and the power of books.Excerpt:
"Amadi closed the book and looked at the cover. The boy seemed to smile at him, as if challenging him. Amadi smiled back. Yes, he'd learn about snow. And then he'd learn more, because when this book was finished, there'd be others. And the more he learned, the more he'd know."
Bookworm's interest at 23 months: He's too young; we'll try again in a few years. Suggested reading age: 4-8.
- 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.
- Cook and eat fried plantains. Find out what other foods Amadi might eat.
Source: Review copy from publisher (Tilbury House).
Question: Who most influenced your learning to read, or your appreciation of reading? If I had to pinpoint one person in my life, I'd say my mother, because she stocked me with books, brought me to the library, and read often herself. Who was it for you -- a parent, sibling, teacher? Comment and tell us about it.
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3 comments:
My mother was my biggest influence. With reading poetry too; I really encourage you to read Nursery Rhymes to your little one.
I'll check out that book.
My father was definitely my biggest influence. He still LOVES to read and he developed my love of books.
Sounds like an interesting book.
As for learning to read, I was "homeschooled" in a way that today would be called unschooling until the age of 7. Then I decided I wanted to go to school, so I had to learn to read. My mom didn't have a lot of time to help (she'd just had a really terrible delivery with baby #7), so she gave me some phonics worksheets and some tapes. My 4yo brother and I listened to the tapes and did the worksheets together, and learned to read at the same time. I started second grade two months after starting the worksheets, and tested as one of the top readers in the class...
My parents did spend HOURS reading to us, and I'm sure that contributed to my kearning to read quickly once I decided to give it a try.
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