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roseleaf24's review
4.0
The illustrations are beautiful. The black and white pencil drawings show so much detail and realism, yet leave the focus on the text and the words. I would really like to discuss this book, though, with someone who has more of an ability to make judgments: I feel like, if I had read this as a child, - a white child in white Suburbia - I may have learned some swahili words, but I would have had my uninformed ideas of Africa confirmed, not challenged. I'm not sure this book did enough to show the diversity of the continent.
malkat007's review
3.5
Alphabet books are fun esp when you can learn about a different culture based on words that are important to them.
sducharme's review
4.0
This volume follows the same format of MOJA MEANS ONE, with each letter matching a word in Swahili, but this time we also have a note about the artwork. The explanation gives us a better appreciation for the illustrations which are much more than pencil drawings.
matthewabush's review against another edition
3.0
Pictures were very well done. This book was a good introduction to African culture for my 7 year old.
ama_reads's review against another edition
3.0
Beautiful illustrations. I only wish they were in color.
daniellesalwaysreading's review
4.0
This is a long book but it is a great introduction to both Swahili and Africa.
wolfdreamer's review
4.0
What a beautiful book. The art and the words are just a small dose of African culture and the beauty of Swahili. I plan to share this with my students and my children.
mjfmjfmjf's review
4.0
A Caldecott Honor Book. And a different kind of alphabet book and not just because it is for Swahili and not English. Your typical American alphabet book is for animals and very common words. Most of the words in this book are concepts or are treated as concepts. And the supporting text is not that as for little kids, it's more for older kids and it's aimed to express something about the culture behind those who speak Swahili. And the art is also far from typical for an alphabet book. It is also aimed at the culture more than the words and it is muted and beautiful.
misspentdays's review
Jambo Means Hello is the 1974 follow up to the Caldecott winning Moja Means One by Muriel Feelings and her illustrator husband, Tom Feelings. Using the alphabet, children are invited to learn 26 Swahili words, complete with a pronunciation guide and a little cultural background.
After 42 years, this book remains the best introduction to Swahili culture and language for children. The illustrations are beautiful, as befits a Caldecott Honor book, and provide a look at a culture unfamiliar to most American children.
The text is kept brief, but is descriptive and informative. Jambo Means Hello covers a variety of topics and allows children to compare and contrast their lives with the children in the book. This book is a terrific resource for cultural studies courses, such as World Culture or World Geography.
This is an essential purchase for any library serving primary school students, both school and public.
After 42 years, this book remains the best introduction to Swahili culture and language for children. The illustrations are beautiful, as befits a Caldecott Honor book, and provide a look at a culture unfamiliar to most American children.
The text is kept brief, but is descriptive and informative. Jambo Means Hello covers a variety of topics and allows children to compare and contrast their lives with the children in the book. This book is a terrific resource for cultural studies courses, such as World Culture or World Geography.
This is an essential purchase for any library serving primary school students, both school and public.
5elementknitr's review
5.0
Gorgeous artwork!
Also, I love learning about other languages and cultures!
Also, I love learning about other languages and cultures!