Amadi's Snowman [Hardcover]

Katia Novet Saint-lot (Author), Dimitrea Tokunbo (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Why does Amadi's mother insist he learn to read words when he is going to be a great businessman? Why should an Igbo man of Nigeria waste precious time on books, anyway? When Amadi disobeys his mother and runs off to the market instead of sticking around for a reading lesson, he encounters a much-admired older boy secretly reading at a book stall. Crowding himself in among the stacks of books, Amadi becomes intrigued by a storybook with pictures of a strange white creature with a carrot for a nose. Over the course of a typical mischievous day, unable to shake his questions about the snowman, Amadi discovers the vast world reading could open up--especially for an Igbo man of Nigeria.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1–4—Set in Nigeria, this contemporary story introduces an Igbo boy who doesn't see the value of literacy. When Amadi's mother tells him that Mrs. Chikodili is on her way to help him with his reading, he stubbornly declares, "I'll be a trader. I don't need to read to do business." He takes off for the market where he wanders by a bookstall and sees Chima, an older boy he respects, looking at a book. Amadi is mesmerized by an image on the pages, and Chima tells him about snow. Unable to get the idea out of his mind, Amadi returns later to look at the volume again, and is devastated when he sees Mrs. Chikodili buying it. Now that Amadi has a reason to read—to find out about the world beyond his town—he is motivated to learn. When he returns home, there is a surprise from Mrs. Chikodili waiting for him. Amadi's experiences are genuine and come across naturally in the narrative. The vibrant illustrations depict the setting and bring richness and depth to the story. An important addition to any library, this offering fills a necessary niche for current-day stories from other cultures and focuses attention on reading as an important and satisfying accomplishment.—Susannah Richards, Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic
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From Booklist

Amadi, an Igbo boy in sun-drenched Nigeria, sees no point in learning to read, until he sees a picture of a snowman in a book and is curious to find out more. He wants to learn about the far-off country where frozen rain falls from the sky—a world so different from his own—and the chance to read about it fills him with joy. Children will enjoy reading about Amadi's life in the village, depicted in the earth-toned, intimate scenes. It’s a nice reversal that young children will be able to grasp—what looks exotic and faraway to one person is a place where someone else lives. Preschool-Grade 1. --Hazel Rochman

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Tilbury House Publishers (May 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0884482987
• ISBN-13: 978-0884482987
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,099,869 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Katia Novet Saint-Lot was born in Paris, France to a Spanish mother and a French father. She has since lived in the UK, the USA, Nigeria, and India, and travelled to many places around the world.

Her picture book, Amadi's Snowman, illustrated by Dimitrea Tokunbo, was published by Tilbury House, in 2008.

She is a literary translator a few hours a day, and tries to find as much time as possible to write the stories that her expatriate life and the experiences of her Third Culture Kids (children who grow up in cultures different from those of their parents) inspire her.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stories for Children Magazine 5 Star Review, February 9, 2009

By 

Virginia S. Grenier "Children's Author & Stor... (Ivins, Utah USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Amadi's Snowman (Hardcover)

REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker

Amadi is a young Igbo man of Nigeria. His mother wants him to learn to read so that he can have a good job someday, and she has make arrangements for Mrs. Chikodili to teach him without charge. However, Amadi wants to be a trader and feels that he does not have to know how to read. So instead of waiting for Mrs. Chikodili, he escapes to the market. While there, he sees an older friend, Chima, who is reading a book at a stall. The book has pictures of a strange white creature with a nose that looks like a carrot, and Amadi is intrigued. Of course, if Amadi could read, he could learn all about snow. So, is it barely possible that reading could open up a new world for a young Igbo man of Nigeria?

This is a truly wonderful story because it not only emphasizes the importance of knowing how to read but also reminds children in this country how fortunate they are in having the opportunity of learning how to read and in having a seemingly unlimited supply of books at their disposal. It has the added benefit of helping children gain a better understanding of life for young people in Nigeria. Author Katia Novet Saint-Lot has lived in Nigeria when her husband's work for UNICEF took them there, and the father of Dimitrea Tokunbo, whose captivating illustrations add so much to the book, grew up in Nigeria. Teachers and parents can visit the Tilbury
House website for a special take home section to use with the book that features activities, discussion points, and further resources. I give this book two thumbs up!

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, fabulous book!, February 11, 2010

By 

Valerie A. Del Sol - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Amadi's Snowman (Hardcover)

A fabulous book, well written, interesting with perfect message for children:
READ, READ, READ!
Highly recommended!

4.0 out of 5 stars Introduce a child to Nigeria and the Love the Reading, December 6, 2008

By 

The Well-Read Child "http://wellreadchild.blo... - See all my reviews

This review is from: Amadi's Snowman (Hardcover)

madi, a young Igbo boy in Nigeria doesn't see a reason for learning how to read, so he disobeys his mother and runs off to market instead of waiting for his reading teacher to arrive. After all, he IS going to be an Igbo businessman, and they certainly have much more to do than sit around and read.

As he's walking through the market, Amadi notices an older boy he knows reading a book with an interesting picture of a snowman inside. The boy, Chima, tells Amadi about snow, something he has never even heard of, and for the rest of the day, Amadi's mind is full of questions. Maybe there's more to reading after all...

If you've been reading this blog for any amount of time, you know that I'm a huge proponent of literacy. Knowing how to read is not only a crucial survival skill, but LOVING to read can open your eyes to so many new people, places, and things. This is why I like Amadi's Snowman.

I'm not a fan of heavy-handed messages, and this book could have easily gone in that direction. However, Katia Novet Saint-Lot passes on the message of the importance of literacy through the eyes of a curious child. I've always heard stories of reluctant readers finding THE book that turned them onto reading, and in Amadi's case, it was a book about a snowman. Don't get me wrong...the message is still there, but I don't think it's too "preachy."

Also, by telling us the story of a boy in Nigeria, Ms. Saint-Lot is opening OUR eyes to another culture. We get a great description of the marketplace, learn a bit about business in Nigeria, and meet a boy who I think a lot of children will relate to even though he's in a different part of the world.

Dimitria Tokunbo's earth-toned illustrations with vivid splashes of color take us straight to Nigeria and draw us into its rich culture.

This book shares a critical message in an engaging and unintimidating manner and would be a good addition to any school, home, or classroom library. Teachers and homeschool parents, visit Tilbury House's website for a variety of discussion questions and resources you can use with the book.