Malaika’s Costume
Nadia L. Hohn, Irene Luxbacher
Series:
The Malaika Series 1
Type:
Fiction
Categories:
Holidays & Celebrations | Social Issues | People & Places | Places
Themes:
General, Emigration & Immigration, Caribbean & Latin America
Language:
English
Publisher:
Grade Level:
P-1
Age Range:
3-6
Description
Malaika’s mother can’t buy her a carnival costume — will she still be able to dance in the parade?
It’s carnival time — the first carnival since Malaika’s mother moved to Canada to find a good job and provide for Malaika and her grandmother. Her mother promised she would send money for a costume, and Malaika marks off the days on her calendar as she waits for Mummy’s letter to arrive. But when the letter finally comes, Malaika learns that there is no money for her costume.
Disappointed and upset at the thought of wearing her grandmother’s hand-me-down costume, Malaika leaves the house, running into Ms. Chin, the tailor, who offers Malaika a bag of scrap fabric. With her grandmother’s help, Malaika creates a patchwork rainbow peacock costume, and dances proudly in the parade.
This heartwarming story about family, community and the celebration of carnival is written in a blend of standard English and Caribbean patois. Nadia L. Hohn’s warm prose and Irene Luxbacher’s vibrant collage-style illustrations make this a strikingly original picture book.
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.6
With prompting and support, name the author and illustrator of a story and define the role of each in telling the story.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.1
Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
Contributors
Formats
Awards
Américas Award Honorable MentionRunner-up
School Library Journal Best Picture BooksCommended
Commended TD Grade One Book Giveaway Selection, 2021Commended
Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario Children's Literature AwardWinner
USBBY's Outstanding International Books ListCommended
OLA Best Bets Honourable MentionCommended
CCBC Best Books for Children and Teens, starred selectionCommended
Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the YearCommended
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