#blogbookaday: Ayobami and the Names of the Animals

Summary:

“Ayobami is an African girl who dreams of going to school. After war comes to an end, she can finally return to the schoolhouse. But in order to do so, she has to take a dangerous path through the jungle. Armed only with a piece of paper and a worn-out pencil, she embarks on a hazardous journey to fulfill her unweaving desire to learn and write.

This is a tale about the importance of education, the difficulties that many children have to overcome to go to school, and the perseverance and enthusiasm of those who want to learn.” (Taken from Goodreads)

Review:

Ayobami is so excited that she will finally be able to learn to read and write when the school opens after the war. But, having never gone before, she gets lost on the way and meets some very interesting characters. She promises to learn each of their names and will write them down for each animal when she returns from school.

Personal Reaction:

My heart hurts for the number of kids who are unable to go to school around the world. Education is so vitally important and so many children are not able to have that opportunity. This story would be a great one to share in elementary school to show kids not to take advantage of their chance for education. To teach kids that in places around the world, children are helping to take care of siblings, working to help support the family, hiding to stay safe in an unsafe environment and a host of other reasons that make school merely a dream. This would also be a great story to share as a kick-off before a fundraising event to build a school or send supplies to a school in another country. I liked that the writing felt like an old folktale and the illustrations were so pretty – filled with letters and Aboyami’s hope for her future.

Title: Ayobami and the Names of the Animals
Author: Pilar López Ávila
Illustrator: Mar Azabal
Publisher:  Cuento de Luz
Publication Date: April 19, 2018

This is a new idea I’m trying on my blog this year that was inspired by @donalynbooks and @heisereads – to provide a brief review of a picture book every day of 2018. You’ll get a brief summary of the story, a review of the content, illustrations and theme, my personal reaction to the book and all the pertinent publication information! Enjoy!