The Talking Cloth

When Amber and her father go to visit her Aunt Phoebe, she wraps herself in cloth from Ghana and learns the significance of the colors and symbols to the Ashanti people

PreSchool-Grade 2. A picture book that tells a story about a black family as it provides an introduction to West African culture. Aunt Phoebe, a wise and seasoned traveler, tells her niece, Amber, about the adinkra cloth and how it is meant to be used. In this way, the woman helps the girl understand another culture and how their family is related to it. Mitchell's rich and colorful oil paintings realistically portray African carvings and cloths, particularly the adinkra cloth made by the Ashanti people of Ghana. Through the illustrations, Mitchell shows the relationship between Aunt Phoebe and Amber's father. Aunt Phoebe, through her travels and knowledge, keeps traditions alive by passing them on to the younger generation, despite the seeming ambivalence of her brother. However, his angry looks and body language are never discussed in the text, and children may not realize why he seems so stern and unhappy. Still, this is a solid story about traditions, culture, and knowledge, told within the context of family.?Carol Jones Collins, Montclair Kimberley Academy, NJ
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Ages 4^-7. Amber's aunt Phoebe's apartment is full of "things and things and things." Aunt Phoebe also knows things and has stories to tell about the African items that fill her home. Especially intriguing to Amber is the adinkra cloth from Ghana, which is covered with symbols; Aunt Phoebe calls it a talking cloth. Amber loves to pretend she is an Ashanti princess when she is draped in the cloth, and she thinks of all those who have worn an adinkra before her. When Amber's father tells her she will have to grow before she can really wear the long cloth, Aunt Phoebe says, "This child just grew an inch or two inside" learning about her African heritage. Mitchell provides a fine mix of history, family, and daydreams in Amber's story. The oil paintings are set against a background of pure white, giving the book a cool crispness. The many patterns and symbols that appear throughout the story work particularly well against the unadulterated pages. Ilene Cooper