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ljrinaldi's review
4.0
The sad thing about colonialism is that it robs the local people of their culture. They are taught that to speak like they normally do is bad, and wrong, and they should only speak proper English.
This book is the story of a woman that found that the only way she could actually speak was in the language of Jamaica, the language of the people. That that was how she found her voice, and spread that voice to others in the English speaking world.
The pictures are bright and colorful, and show details of Miss Lou's life in Jamaica.
The back of the book has a glossory of many of the words used, but I would have liked a CD to hear the words spoken as I'm sure they are quite enjoyable. A more complete note at the end explains what happened to Miss Lou when she grew up.
This is a wonderful introduction to a poet that many Western people might not have heard of.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
This book is the story of a woman that found that the only way she could actually speak was in the language of Jamaica, the language of the people. That that was how she found her voice, and spread that voice to others in the English speaking world.
The pictures are bright and colorful, and show details of Miss Lou's life in Jamaica.
The back of the book has a glossory of many of the words used, but I would have liked a CD to hear the words spoken as I'm sure they are quite enjoyable. A more complete note at the end explains what happened to Miss Lou when she grew up.
This is a wonderful introduction to a poet that many Western people might not have heard of.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
michelle_neuwirth_gray9311's review
4.0
This would be a great book to read to a class. Bright colorful illustrations are attention getting.
mswocreader's review
5.0
This story had gorgeous illustrations and easy to understand dialogue for the little ones. It brings to light the story of a underrated trailblazer who helped bring patois mainstream but doesn't get the credit she deserves. Even though she knows how to speak "proper english" she also speaks in the voice of the everyday person in Jamaica. There's even a short bio at the end giving further insight into why this woman is so important. Can't wait to buy this for my niece.
graypeape's review
5.0
A bright and colorful picture book about Louise Bennett-Coverley, an influential Jamaican poet, folklorist, and tv and radio personality who helped bring Jamaican patois to the world. The story celebrates her indomitable spirit, and the author's notes following the text give more detailed information about her life. A glossary of terms and explanation of references are included at the end. Miss Lou's poetry is sprinkled throughout, and is a lovely introduction to her work.
inkpressedpage's review
4.0
"Before she became a Jamaican icon, Miss Lou was a girl who just wanted to be heard in the language she loved."
This is a wonderfully written picture book about Louise Bennett-Coverley's early years of finding her voice in Jamaica. This story celebrates her courage to take the risk of writing in the voice of her people and culture. There are samples of her writing throughout the book mixed in with vibrant pictures. There is patois in the poems that I was unfamiliar with but I was pleasantly surprised to find a glossary in the back. To conclude the initial story of her beginnings there is a short biography at the end that gives us a look at her continued life and influence. She was a poet, storyteller and radio personality. Her work helped bring patios to the world in a new light.
This is a wonderfully written picture book about Louise Bennett-Coverley's early years of finding her voice in Jamaica. This story celebrates her courage to take the risk of writing in the voice of her people and culture. There are samples of her writing throughout the book mixed in with vibrant pictures. There is patois in the poems that I was unfamiliar with but I was pleasantly surprised to find a glossary in the back. To conclude the initial story of her beginnings there is a short biography at the end that gives us a look at her continued life and influence. She was a poet, storyteller and radio personality. Her work helped bring patios to the world in a new light.
academianut's review
4.0
I remember as a first-year ESOL teacher, I had two students who spoke beautiful Jamaican Patois, but try as I might, I could not find a book that represented their language or culture! But this year at ALA, I finally found one: A Likkle Miss Lou: How Jamaican Poet Louise Bennett Coverly Found Her Voice, by Nadia L. Hohn, an #OwnVoices author. This book celebrates the beauty of Jamaican language and its poetry, and the bravery of Coverly, who even as a child went beyond the box of the Standard English taught in schools and created poems in vibrant patois that delighted and connected her listeners and readers to each other. This children's biography is a great mirror for Jamaican students and window for kids of all other cultures!
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