Not So Fast, Songololo [Hardcover]

Niki Daly (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

In South Africa, a young black boy shares a special day with his grandmother when they go into the city on a shopping trip.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The setting is South Africa and the names of the people are like poetry: Uzuti, Mongi, Mr. Motiki. Malusi is now old enough to accompany his grandmother, Gogo, into the city to shop. She is an old womanample, proud, not quite in step with modern technology, and she is no longer moves quickly. Malusi (Songololo to his grandmother) helps her with her shopping. It's a universally appealing shared experience. The love and respect that flows between the two is warm and beautiful, and Daly's watercolor and marker art is very expressive. When Daly writes, "Gogo was old, but her face shone like new school shoes. Her hands were large and used to hard work, but they were gentle," her painting says all this and much more.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3 Daly's picture book is of high quality both visually and textually. While the setting is Daly's native South Africa, the simple story line of the mutual love between a child and his grandmother is universal in appeal. Malusi (Songololo to his grandmother), the young boy, is enlisted by his elderly grandmother Gogo to assist her on a shopping trip to the city. His hand-me-down sneakers are old and full of holes, and Malusi's desire for a new pair is evident by his dreamy-eyed window-shopping. Malusi doesn't ask for a pair, but Gogo, after observing his behavior and the condition of his sneakers, makes this day very special by steering him into a shop and buying him a bright red pair. A simple gift but something quite special for a little boy who doesn't have much. Daly's watercolor and marker illustrations are vibrant, bright and sure to delight young children. The contrast between the elderly weather-worn face of Gogo and Malusi's youthful, eager, expressiveness is something that will jump out at readers. Equally suitable for storytelling or independent reading, Not So Fast Songololo will be a welcome addition to any collection.Tom S. Hurlburt, Anoka County Library, Blaine, Minn.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry (March 1, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689503679
• ISBN-13: 978-0689503672
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 7.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,461,617 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A tender book about a little South African boy, May 14, 2001

By 

Myra Sara Alperson (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Not So Fast, Songololo (Paperback)

After living in South Africa for four years in the early 1990s, I came to appreciate the "small" stories of peoples' struggles as well as the larger fight for racial justice. "Not so fast, Songololo" represents both the larger and smaller story: Songologo doesn't have a pair of new sneakers - which many children take for granted - because it costs a lot of money for his family to pay for them. So when his grandmother treats him to a pair, it's a big event in his life. The pictures are lovely - capturing the rhythms of life for some South African children. I regret that there are not more books about them - and not enough by South African authors (Niki Daly is one of the few, and his other children's books set in South Africa, including Papa Lucky's Shadow and Jamela's Dress, are also lovely; Rachel Isadora is an American writer who has written some wonderful children's books set in South Africa). It's a sweet book that my daughter, who is 5, and I have loved reading together. We especially enjoyed taking it to South Africa when we went there together earlier this year, and then gave it to the mother of a four-year-old we met.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not so fast, Songololo, June 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Not So Fast, Songololo (Hardcover)

This book is full of creative, yet brief descriptions. For instance, a city crosswalk is referred to as a "zebra crossing." Also, with few words and simple language, the author is able to create vivid pictures inside the reader's head. These images are supplemented by awesome illustrations, which, besides accurately depicting the plot described in the text, also suggest stories of their own. As a kid, I liked this book because I empathized with Songololo in his quiet longing for new shoes. Now, as a teenager, I read it because the writing is meaty and touching, and the illustrations are fun to look at. You must buy this book!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful story about a boy and his grandmother, September 1, 2007

By 

SUE-ANNE SILKES (Redondo Beach, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Not So Fast Songololo (Paperback)

I am from South Africa, and really enjoy teaching my children about where I grew up. This book has lovely illustrations, and a great story about a boy and his grandmother. It reminded me of the stores, taxis, and people that make South Africa such a colorful place. This book would make a perfect addition to any family's multicultural library!