Dear Baobab
by Cheryl Foggo
illustrated by Qin Leng
Maiko has left his village in Tanzania far behind, moving to North America with his aunt and uncle. When he thinks of home he thinks of the large Baobab at the center of the village. Maiko adopts the spruce tree in the front yard of his new home – it’s seven years old, the same as him. The tree sings to him and shares his secrets. When he learns that the roots of the tree are growing too close to the house, putting the little spruce in danger of being cut down, Maiko knows he can’t let that happen. He knows all too well what it’s like to be small, and planted in the wrong place.
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So Many Books... So Little Time
http://melanieski.blogspot.com/2011/10/dear-baobab-cheryl-foggo.html
Seven year old Maiko must leave his African village and beloved Baobab trees to go live with his Aunt and Uncle in North America. Feeling connected with the 2000 year old, grounded tree, Maiko feels lost and uprooted in his new surroundings. Uprooted and moved unlike the Baobab tree he loves.
Now surrounded by spruce trees, Maiko is trying to fit into his new school and new home. One little spruce tree that is also 7 years old that Maiko calls "tree, same age as me", comforts him as he hears the wind sing through its leaves.
The little spruce tree is growing too close to the foundation of the house and Uncle Peter plans on cutting it down, not realizing how special it has become to Maiko.
Maiko is able to find the courage to tell Uncle Peter and a new plan for the tree is devised.
Change is hard on anyone but for such a young one to loose his parents and move to a completely different culture and way of life is exceptionally hard.
I feel many children will relate to Maiko feeling out of place and being moved from what he knows and love. In our very transient society it isn't uncommon for children to move several times in their young lives.
I have always had a fascination with the Baobab trees and this book illustrates and describes them so well. I loved how Maiko could feel connected and comforted by the big tree and had to transfer that love to another and through that he was able to realize that "We can't always grow where we are planted. But we still can grow somewhere else".
Loved the original concept with the Baobab tree, and the universal concept of children having to move and try to fit in.
Beautiful illustrations by Qin Leng who was born in Shanghai, China before moving to Montreal.
Cheryl Fogo is a journalist, screenwriter, poet and playwright. She is the author of two books for young adults. This is her first picture book. Cheryl has a particular interest in history of Black pioneers on the prairies. She live in Calgary.
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Dear Baobab is set in North America and is about a seven year old boy named Maiko. Maiko has moved from a village in Africa to live with his aunt and uncle in a red brick house. In Maiko's old home there was a giant baobab tree more than 2000 years old. At Maiko's new home there is a spruce tree by the front door that is the same age as Maiko. Maiko misses his old home and the baobab tree. He confides to the new tree "... how lonely he felt as the wind blew him across the wide ocean in an airplane, and how strange it was, at first, to sleep in the red brick house."
The story proceeds as Maiko adjusts to his new home with the help of his aunt and uncle. He and Aunt Ajia paint a baobab tree on Maiko's bedroom wall. Maiko attends school. Maiko makes a friend but another classmate teases him. He discovers the fun of Halloween and the wonder of snow. The adjustment to new surroundings is tenuous and threatened when Maiko discovers that the spruce tree must be moved because it could damage the house. When it is announced that the little spruce will be the family's Christmas tree, he tells Uncle Peter how hel feels about the tree. Together they come up with a solution and the tree is moved to the Birthplace Forest on Maiko's birthday in the spring. Maiko tells the tee "You see, we can't always grow where we are planted. But we still can grow somewhere else."
Dear Baobab is a suitable and engaging story for young children adapting to change. It is a good story for both children who experience the change of culture and to children meeting others from another country/culture. It accents the importance of people's connections to their surroundings.
Qin Leng illustrates the story with sensitivity. The expressions on the characters' faces are appealing. The distinction between seasons is emphasized with the vivid greens of spring and summer, the bright colours of fall and the whiteness of winter.
This book is highly recommended for both school and public libraries. It is suitable for both individual readers and for story time.
Leng's illustrations are a very good match for the story. Perfect for young listeners or readers ages 5 up.
"Lovely!"
This book is highly recommended for both school and public libraries. It is suitable for both individual readers and for story time.
"Foggo's lyrical text is perfect for reading aloud, and certain expressions nearly turn the story into poetry...Maiko's story is simple and buoyant and will appeal to a wide range of children."
Maiko experiences an orphan’s loneliness and an immigrant’s unease but eventually finds comfort in his new home.
Dear Baobab is a charming read that, without being too syrupy-sweet, offers encouragement to anyone who has ever felt they are in the wrong place. ... The conversations between Maiko and the tree are particularly superb, capturing the charm and innocence expected of any seven-year-old, but containing the ache of someone who longs for the past.
Loved the original concept with the Baobab tree, and the universal concept of children having to move and try to fit in.
