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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
As someone who grew up in blended and re-blended families, this book made me feel ALL THE FEELINGS. EVERY SINGLE LAST ONE. Excellent addition to school and library collections. Recommended for ages 6-9.
I highly recommend reading the first one in this series of books about Malaika to get a better understanding of the family dynamics. 3.5 Stars.
Malaika's Carnival follows Malaika's move to Canada as her mother gets married to a man she met while she was away. Malaika clearly has a difficult time adjusting to her new family dynamics and being in a new place where she doesn't know anyone or the language. What I enjoyed about this story was definitely the emotions that readers experience through Malaika. The themes of blended family dynamics and immigration are ones that a lot of younger readers will connect with even if it's not their exact experience. Hohn does an amazing job of incorporating Caribbean dialect into the framework of the story. I love that there is no explanation, but its simply woven into the dialogue and it is up to the reader to adjust and learn to grow comfortable with both the culture and dialect. Unfortunately, I struggled with the artwork. It's not a style that I connected with as a reader and at some points it became a distraction to the narrative. This isn't necessarily a universal feeling. I know people who enjoy this style of art; however, for me, it doesn't always work. Overall, it was a solid read and provides some interesting cross cultural experiences.
Malaika's Carnival follows Malaika's move to Canada as her mother gets married to a man she met while she was away. Malaika clearly has a difficult time adjusting to her new family dynamics and being in a new place where she doesn't know anyone or the language. What I enjoyed about this story was definitely the emotions that readers experience through Malaika. The themes of blended family dynamics and immigration are ones that a lot of younger readers will connect with even if it's not their exact experience. Hohn does an amazing job of incorporating Caribbean dialect into the framework of the story. I love that there is no explanation, but its simply woven into the dialogue and it is up to the reader to adjust and learn to grow comfortable with both the culture and dialect. Unfortunately, I struggled with the artwork. It's not a style that I connected with as a reader and at some points it became a distraction to the narrative. This isn't necessarily a universal feeling. I know people who enjoy this style of art; however, for me, it doesn't always work. Overall, it was a solid read and provides some interesting cross cultural experiences.
Colorfully illustrated story about a young girl's experience of family, emigration, loss, and re-connection. Without the previous book in hand (Malaika's Costume), the story itself seems abrupt and disconcerting, much as a child might experience the realization that her family and home are changing dramatically and without her consent or understanding.
Malaika's mother is just back to their Caribbean home from what we learn is a stay in Quebec. "Mummy" seems emotionally absent throughout, while we see Malaika learning indirectly, from an uncomfortable handshake with her soon-to-be stepfather, a set of awkward interactions with her soon-to-be sister (who's much more 'in the know' than Malaika), and from her grandmother's culinary choices (making the food she makes when people are leaving their district), that her family and home are about to undergo radical transformation. While she eventually reconciles with her new sister and, with her mother's help, reconnects with her grandmother via computer, the story left me with an empty feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Malaika's mother is just back to their Caribbean home from what we learn is a stay in Quebec. "Mummy" seems emotionally absent throughout, while we see Malaika learning indirectly, from an uncomfortable handshake with her soon-to-be stepfather, a set of awkward interactions with her soon-to-be sister (who's much more 'in the know' than Malaika), and from her grandmother's culinary choices (making the food she makes when people are leaving their district), that her family and home are about to undergo radical transformation. While she eventually reconciles with her new sister and, with her mother's help, reconnects with her grandmother via computer, the story left me with an empty feeling in the pit of my stomach.
A beautiful book about international marriage and moving to a new home. The book is written in Caribbean dialect which perfectly captures the voice of our young narrator as she says goodbye to her island family and moves to Canada with her mom and new father and sister. The artwork is absolutely gorgeous too!
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Immigrant experience for little ones -- a bit confusing -- where was mummy in the beginning of the book? (I'm assuming Canada), and the sudden wedding is abrupt -- so in that sense, it reads as though one were a small child whose mother has gone away, come back for a sudden wedding and then transplanted you to Canada, which is of course quite jarring and odd at times. Still, a great tool for empathy for slightly older kids, but I'm not sure if younger children will be able to follow it.
Makes more sense as a sequel, now even more context for families traveling across the globe.
Makes more sense as a sequel, now even more context for families traveling across the globe.
Sequel to another picture book. This time Malaika has to leave her Caribbean home to move to Quebec with her now stepfather and stepsister.
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2018/comments_06/malaikas_winter_carnival.html
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2018/comments_06/malaikas_winter_carnival.html