Furaha Means Happy: A Book of Swahili Words - Hardcover

Text: English, Swahili

Kindergarten-Grade 2-Using a family outing as a backdrop, Wilson-Max introduces young readers to a handful of Swahili words. A brief introduction provides a map of Africa and identifies Kenya as one of its countries. It also presents a brother and sister who live there and speak English and Swahili. They wear western-style clothing, travel by car, and document family fun with a camera. Wambui greets readers and narrates the story of her family's trip to a lake. Full-color, double-page spreads present her simple story and are followed by labeled illustrations of selected vocabulary. For example, after she describes their picnic lunch, drawings of a mango, a sandwich, and other items appear on a crisp white background with their English and Swahili words. A separate guide to pronunciation is provided at the end. Wilson-Max's choice of rich, full-bodied color and the use of bold black outlines give his spirited illustrations instant appeal. Similar in format to the author's Halala Means Welcome: A Book of Zulu Words (Hyperion, 1998), this slim volume is an attractive extra.
Alicia Eames, New York City Public Schools
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