Kondi is determined to make a galimoto -- a toy vehicle made of wires. His brother laughs at the idea, but all day Kondi goes about gathering up the wire he needs. By nightfall, his wonderful galimoto is ready for the village children to play with in the light of the moon.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Browse our Bookshelf Favorites store for big savings on popular fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and more. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
An African boy collects scraps of wire to make a galimoto --a toy vehicle. In PW 's words, "Williams's gentle text and Stock's soft watercolors capture the essence of life in a small African village. Children . . . will warm to this tale of a boy's persistence and not-so-small accomplishment." Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 1-3-- When seven-year-old Kondi decides to fashion a galimoto (a generic term for various push-toys made from wires and sticks), his older brother is convinced that a small boy should not undertake such a difficult project. Besides, the elder brother reminds him, Kondi does not have enough wire to make a toy. Readers follow the clever boy through his small African village on his quest to obtain the precious material from adults and other children through persuasion and old-fashioned know-how. Although he encounters many obstacles in his search, Kondi's persistence is rewarded. Stock's bright watercolor illustrations energize this quiet tale. Readers will cheer Kondi as he sees his goal realized. A good read-aloud choice. --Denia Lewis Hester, Dewey School, Evanston, IL
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As I prepared to visit Zambia to learn how communities are coping with the HIV/AIDS pandemic, I tried to help the children of our church understand what life is like in Africa. "You mean they are so poor nobody buys them toys?" Galimoto not only gives a realistic picture of life in a small African village, it celebrates the resourceful spirit of African children. Our young people were filled with wonder when I brought home a galimoto that I bought on a roadside in Zambia. They were eager to try their hand at creating their own galimotos.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I just attended a talk by a Peace Corps volunteer who spoke about how children in Ghana were resourceful about creating toys to play with. This book illlustrates that point. I hope that my students from Africa will enjoy this book.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is set in the small Southern African country of Malawi, the country in which I spent the first 19 years of my life. This book is very dear to me because of its connection to my home. However, it is a good book in its own right. I can say that the language used in the book is authentic (galimoto is, in fact, Chichewa for car). The illustrations are also accurate. The book also has several plot elements which are great discussion points for parents or teachers. For instance, the main character has to make several deals with people to get the things he needs for his project. This provides a good lesson in compromise. The main character also shows planning by setting a goal and then following through the motions to reach his goal. Although the book is intended for smaller children, I think that it is a helpful book for older kids as well. I have read this story to my 7th graders, and it has prompted many discussions on other cultures.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very authentic!
My son-in-law is from Namibia and he enjoyed reading it, too. We bought a copy for his young nephews in Lilongwe and they loved it. Read more
Published 15 days ago by Linda Rise
5.0 out of 5 stars
Galimoto
Galimoto is a very special book. It is a wonderful story about a little boy far away in Africa, that combines the universal creativity of all young children with an exploration of... Read more
Published 5 months ago by elizabeth gillespie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Book About Determination and a "Truck"
"Galimoto" is a children's book about a little boy named Kondi from the Republic of Malawi who works hard to gather metal and scraps to make his dream toy - a galimoto (truck). Read more
Published 18 months ago by K. Nash
5.0 out of 5 stars
My sons loved it!
I bought this book because it is about a little boy who makes his own toy car from recycled wire he finds lying around his african village. Read more
Published 19 months ago by rob
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly Authentic
This book is a delightful glimpse into a typical boy's life in a southern African village. A galimoto is a very popular toy that is prevalent throughout most of the southern part... Read more
Published on May 18, 2011 by S. Blanton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Galimoto
This book gives an idea of life in a developing nation while giving due credit to a child's ability to enjoy the simple things. Not preachy but inspiring and delightful. Read more
Published on January 17, 2011 by mickey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simple Dreams Become Profound
When I taught elementary school, I used this book constantly. I'm always reminded of Tom Sawyer as the young boy becomes very resourceful in trying to obtain the wire he needs to... Read more
Published on March 21, 2009 by Chris Bowen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Galimoto
This is a book I ordered to send to my grandson for his birthday. It was sent directly, so I haven't really read it. It got good reviews and he likes the story. Read more
Published on June 19, 2008 by Lisa Sandvik
5.0 out of 5 stars
It doesn't take a lot of "stuff" to be creative
This is a wonderful, well illustrated book about a young boy who has an idea and finds what he needs to create it. What he needs is just a small amount of wire. Read more
Published on February 29, 2008 by M. Thompson
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
