 Anna lives in a Tanzanian village, where she has a long walk to the schoolhouse. She has a hard time doing homework because it is dark when she gets home from school. One day, she misses the visit of the bicycle library truck. In her village, bicycles are expensive and many families cannot afford them. At a bicycle library, a child can sign out a bike just like we sign out books at our libraries. Anna hides her disappointment of not getting a bike by helping her classmates steer and balance their bikes. A friend gives Anna a bicycle when he gets to his house because she has farther to go. Anna then rides home and kicks up her own cloud of dust. Glowing oil painting in golds and oranges spotlight the simple, uplifting story about sharing. An author’s note highlights more information about bicycle libraries and organizations that distribute bikes to Africa and other developing countries. mjw |
| Title: In A Cloud Of Dust Author: Alma Fullerton Illustrator: Brian Deines Publisher: Pajama Press. Toronto Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English Original Copyright: 2015 ISBN: 1-978-1-927485-62-0 Paperback pages: 32 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Tanzania Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Ontario Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Toronto Subjects: Bicycles, Friendship, Libraries, School children, Tanzania |
In A Cloud Of Dust
Leave a reply
Fifteen-year-old Maya is traveling with her Sikh father to bring her Hindu mother’s ashes to India. Arriving in 1984 on the eve of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination she is thrust into an India full of fear and chaos. She manages to escape the worst of the riots in Delhi but is separated from her father and must rely on others to help her navigate the dangers of India in 1984. Maya finds a companion in Sandeep a mysterious young man who helps her face an uncertain future. Written in verse, this fast paced historical fiction novel shows the harsh reality of Indian life in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi’s assassination along with the troubles a young woman could have faced being alone in India. Ostlere shows the danger of the time but also honors the vibrancy of India through realistic details such as, warm chai being sold on the street, that will transport the reader directly into Indian culture. amo
This comic book is sure to delight lovers of witty, intellectual humor. With many different worlds throughout the book, readers will turn pages hoping to find their favorite characters such as Oliverio the Olive or Henrietta. Every strip was originally published in La Nación during 2003 and 2004 yet their themes still resonate with today’s audience. Pen and watercolor illustrations guide the reader through the clever adventures with multitudes of characters to love. amo
OmniLibros 