The Most Important Gift of All - Hardcover

Conway, David

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0769646182 ISBN 13: 9780769646183

Publisher: Brighter Child, 2006

Synopsis

A reassuring story about the arrival of a new sibling.

Ama wants to honor her newborn baby brother with a special gift, as is the custom of the people in her village. When Grandma Sisi suggests “the gift of love,” Ama sets off in search of this important present, but how will she know when she has found it? This richly illustrated story, told in the folktale tradition, celebrates a young girl’s simple, earnest discovery of the most important gift of all.

David Conway is an established poet and a fresh, new voice in children’s picture books whose keen interest in world travel and culture has influenced his writing. He drew inspiration for The Most Important Gift of All from his love of reading folktales from around the world.

Karin Littlewood’s travels to Kenya are reflected in the warm, vibrant colors and lush, richly detailed landscapes of her illustrations. She is frequently invited to speak at elementary schools, where she enjoys sharing her passion for picture book illustration with young children.

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Kindergarten-Grade 3 Ama is searching for the perfect gift to welcome her young brother into the world. When Grandma Sisi advises her to give him love the most important gift of all the child goes on a quest, asking the animals she meets if they know where to find it. Ama becomes lost and is later found by her father who has searched all night for her. Their reunion is joyous and the village celebrates both Ama's return and her brother's arrival. The little girl finally understands the meaning of love. Littlewood's exquisite illustrations evoke the vast beauty and simmering daytime heat of Kenya, full of energy and movement, while the cooler nights are purple and peaceful in striking contrast. The layout is outstanding, with single pages and full spreads that have varying perspectives. One stunning spread has three horizontal panels extending over two pages, creating a sense of overlapping activities. This lovely book would be an excellent introduction to a discussion of other cultures or the birth of a sibling. Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist:

PreS-K. Ama is excited when her baby brother is born, and like all the people of her Kenyan village, she wants to bring him a gift. Because Grandma tells her that love is the most important gift of all, the small girl goes in search of it. In familiar folktale style, she asks the creatures she meets for help, but the weaverbird, the giraffe, and the wise lion can't help her. Then she becomes lost in the night. She shelters under a baobab tree, and, in the morning light, she find love in a surprising way--when Papa comes for her and carries her home on his shoulders. The beautiful blend of the traditional storytelling pattern and contemporary realism is expressed in Littlewood's double-page spreads. In pencil, watercolor, and gouache, the pictures show the child close-up with the large animals against the glowing savannah landscape, and then safe at home with her loving family, celebrating the new baby and the lost child found. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About this edition

• Publisher: Brighter Child
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0769646182
• ISBN 13: 9780769646183
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Littlewood Karin