I Lost My Tooth In Africa
February 8th, 2010
- ISBN13: 9780439662260
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
More than anything, Amina wants to lose her loose tooth while visiting her family in Mali, West Africa. Only then can she put it under a gourd for the African tooth fairy, who will exchange it for two chickens! Happily this happens, and even better, the chickens lay eggs. But will the eggs hatch before it’s time to return home to America? In this fresh, spontaneous story that is infused with close family warmth, Penda June Diakite joins forces with her award-winning author/artist father to give a charming peek at everyday life in Mali.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
Since I, too, am from Portland, OR, I enjoyed this story even more, and I loved the illustrations.
Rating: 4 / 5
February 8th, 2010 at 8:07 pm
I bought this book for my 5 1/2 because we’re traveling to Mali where the story takes place. She’s also losing teeth at this time so can identify with the main character of the book. After reading the book together she wanted to read it over and over. She loves the story about the girl losing her tooth and the tooth fairy bringing her a chicken, as well as the illustrations which give her a better childlike picture of how people live there and what the land looks like. Great descriptions and a sweet story. When she looks at my travel guide she isn’t very interested but the story and illustrations spark her interest from the chicken looking airplane to the children playing in the orange sand outside. The story has made her really excited to visit Africa, but I don’t know what we’ll do if she loses another tooth and doesn’t get a chicken!
Rating: 4 / 5
February 8th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
This is a great introduction to world cultures for young children. It is written quite appropriately for children that are beginning to lose their teeth. My daughter loved the use of foreign terms. I also liked how the culture was woven into the story, such as how all they ate out of one large bowl and slept in bamboo beds. We also enjoyed finding Mali on our wall map and tracing the route they took to get there. Lastly, I think that it’s important to note that this is a true story.
I do want to mention, however, that one must realize that this story may certainly stain a child’s belief in the American tooth fairy. I personally opt for straightforward honesty in this area, but some who want to draw out the fun for their child may want to avoid this book.
Rating: 5 / 5
February 8th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
In January I had the wonderful experience of living with a family in a village about one hour south of Bamako, Mali. When I returned I happened to see this book featured on Reading Rainbow and knew I needed to have it. It totally captures the feel of life in a family compound – how you are greeted by everyone, meal time, brushing teeth, time together in the evening, and the beautiful clothing that the women wore. And of course the charming story of what happens when a child loses a tooth in Mali is great – and true. If you have been to Mali you will love it because it captures the spirit of Mali, and if you haven’t it will give you a glimpse of live in Mali.
Rating: 5 / 5
February 9th, 2010 at 12:17 am
I highly recommend this book for K-2 grades, because they are losing all their baby teeth during that time. I really enjoyed watching my students of all cultural backgrounds relate to the African/African-American girl in this story. The pictures are also wonderfully vibrant!
I’m an Elementary Art teacher, and I read this book to my 1st graders during an African art and culture unit. It helped them to imagine that they were traveling to Africa just as the little girl in the story does. It is also a great introduction about how different cultures do things in different ways! In this story, the tooth fairy brings a chicken instead of money!
My students also really appreciated that this book was originally written by an 8 year old girl, and later illustrated by her Dad. There is a picture of them in the back of the book, and my kids loved seeing the faces responsible for writing and illustrating the book!
Rating: 5 / 5