Subira Subira - Hardcover

Mollel, Tololwa Marti

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 039591809X ISBN 13: 9780395918098

Publisher: Clarion Books, 2000

Synopsis

When Tatu finds she can do nothing to improve her little brother's hateful behavior and make him happy again, she goes to an old spirit woman for help. The spirit woman tells Tatu that to cure Maulidi, she must pluck three whiskers from a lion! Armed only with a song, Tatu steals out into the moonlit night to undertake her impossible task. Acclaimed storyteller Tololwa M. Mollel sets his satisfying retelling of a traditional folktale in contemporary Tanzania, beautifully depicted in Linda Saport's lush illustrations. An author's note and the music for Tatu's song follow the story.

About this title

About the Author:

Linda Saport has been praised for the vibrant color and emotional expressiveness of her illustrations. She lives in Boulder, Colorado. Tololwa M. Mollel, an Arusha Maasai from Tanzania, grew up on his grandfather's coffee farm, an hour's drive from Mount Kilimanjaro. After receiving his B.A. in Literature and Theatre at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Mr. Mollel wnet to Canada in 1966 to complete his master's degree at the University of Alberta. In the late 1970s he returned to Tanzania where he was Senior Lecturer and Head of the Theatre Department at the University of Dar es Salaam. At that time he was also co-director of a a children's theatre and arts group. Mr. Mollel has written many books for Clarion. He lives in Edmonton, Canada.

From School Library Journal:

Kindergarten-Grade 4-This retelling of a traditional African folktale is about two siblings who live in a small village in Tanzania. Since their mother's death, Tatu is in charge of her younger brother, Maulidi. They are caught in a daily power struggle until Tatu finally seeks out a local spirit woman for advice. MaMzuka tells the girl to pluck three whiskers from a lion-"Your courage and patience will guide you." On the third try, Tatu successfully sings the animal to sleep and accomplishes her task. When she presents the whiskers to MaMzuka, the woman merely blows them away. "You don't need them-To change your brother, just remember how you got the whiskers." Love, patience, and song finally tame Maulidi as well and bring both children full circle back to memories of their mother. The coming-of-age slant enhances this adaptation, which traditionally tells of a woman trying to win her husband or stepson's affections, and the author's sensitivity infuses it with a bittersweet tenderness. The blending of intensely warm pastels creates a landscape in which the figures are prominent and the rich colors bring vibrancy to the uncluttered pages. Each folio is respected as a singular canvas, and the placement of the text does not interfere with its images. The marriage of a poignantly written tale with sophisticated artwork revitalizes a time-honored story. This is a book all libraries will want to own, especially those that offer family storytelling programs.
Tina Hudak, Takoma Park Maryland Library, MD
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 039591809X
• ISBN 13: 9780395918098
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Saport Linda