Learning to Swim in Swaziland: A Child'S-Eye View of a Southern African Country [Library Binding]

Nila K. Leigh (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up

Crayon illustrations and a straightforward, handwritten text capture the innocence of an eight-year-old girl as she describes her one-year stay in the African country of Swaziland, including facts about daily life, schools, and the people.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Now 11 years old, Nila went with her parents to live in Swaziland when she was eight. Here, using her own words and drawings as well as photos, the appealingly precocious girl offers a personalized depiction of life in that small country. Sensing--correctly, it would seem--which information will be of interest to her peers, the author focuses on ways in which the lifestyle of children in Swaziland differs from that of American kids. She describes the schools attended by Swazi youngsters, the many chores they perform at home, the food they eat and their toys and clothing. She also retells a pleasant Swazi folktale, and ends on an inspirational note: "You can do all kinds of things you never dreamed you could do. . . . Just like writing a book. Just like living in Africa." While this project could easily have become cute and cloying, Nila pulls it off neatly--written in her own hand, both the girl's text and sketches are refreshing, upbeat and ingenuous. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-- An eight-year-old American child's upbeat impressions of living in Swaziland. A visual delight, Leigh's account is attractively laid out with her own colorful crayon maps and pictures interspersed with well-chosen photographs. Her concern about such concrete realities as vaccinations, the friendliness of Swazi children, snails that keep her from swimming in lakes, and the way that water drains south of the equator ring true and are well expressed. Her closing advice that, "You should not be afraid of what you have never done" is valuable to all children, but should be especially comforting to those facing a new living situation. This is Leigh's own story, rather than the story of Swaziland, yet most readers will come away with some important facts about the country. The description of boys making toy cars from wire and soda cans tells about creativity in the face of limited resources, while other observations lay a groundwork for understanding the geography, family structure, diet, politics, and relations with South Africa. An unusual and personal book. --Loretta Kreider Andrews, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Library Binding: 45 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Trade (March 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590459384
• ISBN-13: 978-0590459389
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,039,488 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating account of a child's year in a far-away land., February 21, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Learning to Swim in Swaziland: A Child'S-Eye View of a Southern African Country (Library Binding)

This book lets one easily imagine what living in Swaziland must be like. Nila addresses questions that kids (and adults, too) would have about a far-away land: what kinds of toys, clothes, and schools the children have, what kinds of food the people eat, and which way the water swirls down the drain! Through pictures and text, the reader discovers a bit of Swaziland's history, terrain, and people. I first discovered this book in a quest for multicultural books for my elementary classroom. I was so impressed with Learning to Swim in Swaziland that I bought it for myself, and both my thirteen-year-old and my eight-year-old liked it as much as I did!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learning to Swim in Swaziland, August 15, 2000

By 

Misty Potter (Spartanburg, SC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Learning to Swim in Swaziland: A Child'S-Eye View of a Southern African Country (Library Binding)

A captivating glance of life in Swaziland from the eyes of an American child! Many interesting facts, along with crayon drawings and photographs, about an African country will surprise, shock, and spark curiosity in children. I read this book to a class of 3rd graders; they were so excited and got so caught up in asking questions and making comments that it was hard to contain them. A definite must read!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lets Get it Back in Print!!, October 20, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Learning to Swim in Swaziland: A Child'S-Eye View of a Southern African Country (Library Binding)

This is a wonderful book. I have been trying to buy it; however, I did not know that it was out of print! I am in college to become a teacher and I wanted this book for my classroom. I have read it to other classes and the children absolutely love it. I agree with Nila ~~~ We need to get this book back in print! This book is interesting and it is great for teaching a geography lesson as well. After I taught a lesson using this book, the students were still talking about it two weeks later. One day it was raining outside, and one little girl mentioned that she was glad that she didn't have to walk to school like the kids in Swaziland have to do. This is a book that the students can relate to in many ways. I hope to see this book back in print in the NEAR future. It seems to be such a waste for a wonderful book such as this to not be in the classrooms for the students to enjoy!! It is Fabulous and people of all ages Love it!!