Joshua's Masai Mask [Hardcover]

Dakari Hru (Author), Anna Rich (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1993 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Joshua, a young African-American boy, plays the kalimba, a traditional African instrument, but he worries that his classmates will tease him if he plays in the school talent show.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This multicultural tale (the debut of both collaborators) concerns Joshua, who has been coaxed by his family into playing an authentic African instrument--the kalimba--in his school's talent show . At the first rehearsal, however, he is so daunted by the confidence and popularity of two musical classmates that he goes home in shame. Joshua's uncle (who gave him the kalimba in the first place) now presents him with a Masai mask, which Joshua discovers gives him the ability to become whomever he chooses. He becomes first the young rapper he envied, then a celebrity rapper, then the Mayor--until he realizes he would really just like to be himself. Thanks to Hru's spirited, conversational style, this "grass is greener" fantasy evinces a light touch and genuine warmth--a story centering on real children with real feelings. Children may well take pride in recognizing themselves in Rich's bold artwork, bursting with bright hues and humor. A satisfying read for children of any color, this book will easily come alive at story hours as well as in the hands of individual readers. Ages 3-10.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-An inspiring story of a young African-American boy. Joshua loves when his uncle teaches him to play the kalimba, but when his family encourages him to perform in the school talent show, he knows he'll be embarrassed because his classmates prefer rap. Sure enough, when the children see Joshua's instrument at rehearsal, they laugh and call his uncle names. When he tells his uncle what happened, the man gives him three very important gifts-a bright colored dashiki, a beautiful new hand-carved kalimba, and a big ostrich-feather mask from the Masai tribe of Kenya. He tells the boy that "'The mask will listen to everything you say, and you must be careful to speak wisely.'" When Joshuq puts it on, he learns that he can become someone different by simply wishing, and in the end- wishing only to be himself-he is a hit in the show. Hru and Rich weave an accomplished story of sensitivity and self-actualization. Illustrations are rich in color and capture the essence of love, encouragement, anxiety, and self-assurance. Multiethnic representation and the universality of the theme create a picture book to be enjoyed by a wide audience.
Barbara Osborne Williams, Queens Borough Public Library, Jamaica, NY
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 1 pages
• Publisher: Lee & Low Books (April 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1880000024
• ISBN-13: 978-1880000021
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,356,361 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not much Masai, September 6, 2000

By 

Jeanne Ukwendu "BellaOnline.com African Cultu... (Miami, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Joshua's Masai Mask (Hardcover)

The only thing Masai or Kenyan about this book was the Masai mask. The book is about an African boy - possibly African American - who can't figure out what to do for the school talent show. His family wants him to play the kalimba, which by the way is not a Kenyan instrument. Joshua feels that his African instrument isn't cool enough.

The story is a good story and illustrations are great. When I obtained this book I was hoping for a story about Masai people - or a little something about Kenya. You know, a children's story book. Anyway, I was initially quite disappointed with this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Book...You can use it in many different ways., April 16, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Joshua's Masai Mask (Paperback)

While the story may seem lacking in certain parts (like the only thing African about the book is the instrument and some clothing) anyone could use the book in a lesson, for example. As a future teacher I used the book with 2nd graders along with Annie's Gifts by Angela Shelf Greene. Both books are about talents that people have, or want to have. Anyways, I use Joshua's Masai Mask as an introduction to Africa. I read the book to the class and on following days, I focused on a variety of instruments, clothing, animals, and much much more that is all about Africa. :)