Moja Means One (Picture Puffin) [Mass Market Paperback]

Muriel Feelings (Author), Tom Feelings (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up | Series: Picture Puffin

"Primarily a Swahili counting book, Moja Means One is also meant to be a gift of heritage, a glimpse of what is unique about East Africa."--School Library Journal. Full color.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (August 15, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140546626
• ISBN-13: 978-0140546620
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 7 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #261,969 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #48 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Ages 4-8 > Picture Books

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Moja Means One - a review, May 24, 2005

By 

Pam Tee "Busy Mom" - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Moja Means One (Picture Puffin) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a lovely little book by a couple who have lived and taught in East Africa. They obviously loved the experience because they were inspired to produce this Caldecott winner.

Though the book was written with African-American children in mind, I believe all children can benefit from reading it. Each number is accompanied by a two-page grayscale drawing. The lack of color may be a problem for younger readers. My 3 year-old son, for example, was not interested in a second read-through. My 5 year-old daughter however was intrigued by how African culture (grantedly of the late 1960's) was different from our own. The counting was not of particular interest to us but all of the other aspects of non-urban African life were.

Pictures depicted are snowy Kilimanjaro, a children's game called Mankala, coffee trees, mothers carrying their babies on their backs (which we now do in the US), savanna animals, styles of dress, Nile river fish, busy market stalls, musicians and their instruments, and, at last, a storyteller entrancing young listeners.

My only complaint is that there is not more to this book: more beautiful drawings; and more explanations of the activities that are depicted. Still a nice book for children who seek an introduction to the broader world.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not just counting but a cultural experience, November 3, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Moja Means One (Picture Puffin) (Mass Market Paperback)

Muriel and Tom Feelings have put together a book which counts from 1-10 in Swahili, but also through the rich illustrations introduces us to the culture of Africa. The book contains an introduction which explains the languages spoken and some informative details about the area. The book gives you the pronunication codes for the words. I was impressed by this seemingly simple book which is packed with sights and sounds of East Africa.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Learning to count to ten in Swahili with great drawings., May 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Moja Means One (Picture Puffin) (Mass Market Paperback)

This children's book teaches the numbers one through ten in Swahili as well as various aspects of east African culture. Children will enjoy learning to count a new way. And, the illustrations by Tom Feelings are great. The book was a 1972 Caldecott Honor book (i.e., a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustrations in a children's book.