 Young Savita and her mother travel from Mumbai to their home in Mombasa, Kenya, after visiting family in India. They carry with them a secret bundle. They arrive at Kilindini port and then travel by car through the town past ancient buildings, curio shops, and markets. The inhabitants of their town are from Kenya, Oman, Portugal, and India. They all speak Kiswahili and live together peacefully. Savita’s mother makes a special meal using the fresh vegetables and fruits purchased at the market and the packets of spices that were in the secret bundle they carried from India. The combination of ingredients from the two special places results in a scrumptious meal of muhogo wa nazi (cassava cooked with coconut milk). Indian and Kenyan songs, language, games, and clothing are smoothly integrated into this story, which highlights the Indian-Kenyan community in Kenya. The charming paintings illuminate the multicultural character of coastal Kenya. A world map charts Savita’s route from India to Kenya, East Africa. A list of suggested questions and classroom activities for text-to-self connections is included to raise students’ awareness and appreciation of cultures. mjw |
| Title: Bundle of Secrets: Savita Returns Home Author: Mubina Hassanali Kirmani Illustrator: Tony Siema Publisher: Create Space Independent Publishing Platform Copyright: 2013 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1484165843 Paperback pages: 34 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Picture book Book setting: Mombasa, Kenya Author’s ethnicity: Born in Kenya, with ancestry from India Author’s residence: U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: Kenyan Illustrator’s residence: Kenya Awards: 2014 Children’s Africana Book Award Best Book for Young Children Subjects: East Indians, Food, Indian-Kenyans, Kenya |
Bundle of Secrets: Savita Returns Home
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