Copyright Date:
2024
Edition Date:
2024
Release Date:
09/10/24
ISBN:
0-593-40641-9
ISBN 13:
978-0-593-40641-0
Dewey:
E
Language:
English
Reviews:
School Library Journal
(Tue Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2024)
Gr 2–4 —Esi is a young Ghanaian girl who goes with her mom and dad to the Kakamotobi Festival, an annual street festival in Ghana. Esi says she's brave, but when she gets lost in a crowd of masked celebrants, she imagines all the participants as scary monsters. The story is slight but rich with vocabulary that evokes the symphony of festival sounds. Onomatopoeic and rhyming words appear in all caps. The font size is small. Illustrations are done in digital watercolor. Esi has natural hair and an expressive face. An abundance of colorful masks are depicted. Scenes often are abstract, with Esi lost in a metaphorical sea of texture. Artwork is colorful and chaotic, but clear, fun, and enjoyable as befitting a bustling street festival. An author's note provides a little more context about the Kakamotobi Festival, but those interested in learning more will have to turn to other sources. VERDICT Until there is a more informative book about this unique celebration, this works in large collections.—Chance Lee Joyner
A bold and bright picture book about being brave when you're scared in a new, overwhelming environment
Esi is a brave Ghanaian girl who is not afraid of anything. Monsters and ghosts should be scared of her!
When she sets off for the annual Kakamotobi Festival with her parents, she’s confident she’ll be fine. Her mother warns that there’s going to be loud music and scary masks and a very big crowd, but Esi’s unconcerned. She's not afraid of anything.
But when they get to the festival and her parents suddenly disappear in a crowd of terrifying monster masks, Esi realizes that to save her parents, she’ll have to be the bravest she’s ever been. With detail-packed illustrations and a text begging to be read aloud, this is the perfect story about finding your inner strength to be brave.