Customer Reviews

Obara and the Merchants

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ms. Bodden's adaption and Mr Jones' illustrations have provided a beautiful interpretation of an ancient story. I am grateful to them for creating a gift we can share with family and friends.
Oloriwaa!

One would hardly call a children's book, 'essential', but for those who truly wish to express to their children a love and understanding of certian aspects of African culture, that is exactly what this book is.
The book varies slightly from most traditional versions of the story, but that is a good thing. The author even acknowledges this in the book. The story has been made accessible to all readers of any culture. It also gives the adult who knows more traditional versions a chance to 'show off' and teach children about variations in story telling. After all, some stories of Mother Goose and the Brothers Grimm aren't published today in their original form either(not for children, at least).
I couldn't give the book five stars however because I bought it with the intention of reading it to my three year old, who loves me to read to him. Some of the vocabulary simply was too advanced for that age level. Coupled that with traditional Yoruba names unfamiliar to a child, and they can loose interest. I recommend the book for slightly older children.

Author Michelle Bodden adapted this apataki (sacred story) from traditional Yoruba religion handed down orally for generations. As with any oral story, there are many versions of the same story, but the message is always the same as are the essential elements. Obara is rather an "everyman" in traditional Yoruba culture, and he has many different jobs and adventures. This book is about his adventure with some merchants.

In the Nigerian village long ago where Obara lived, there was famine. The crops wouldn't grow, and hunters weren't finding any game to kill. Everybody was hungry and had no energy to do anything. Except Obara the hunter. He was hungry, too, but decided he couldn't give up. He would keep hunting until he could find something to eat. Deep in the forest, Obara saw an animal. He was able to kill it with an arrow. He rushed home so that he could cook a good meal that night.

Soon, the delicious aroma of Obara's cooking traveled far on the wind. A merchant named Adebayo caught the scent of food cooking and decided to follow the smell in the hopes that the person cooking would share his meal with him. Other friends smelled the food, and joined Adebayo in finding the source of the food. They approached Obara's compound and told him they'd followed the delicious smell of his cooking food and were hungry. Obara was proud of his hunting skills and his supper, so he offered to share it with the merchants or they would go hungry since they didn't know how to hunt. They had a wonderful meal full of good conversation, which made the food taste even better. Soon, the merchants needed to leave, so they gave Obara some pumpkins as a gift for his hospitality. The surprise ending of this story teaches a valuable lesson to children everywhere.

Michelle Bodden did an excellent job with the adaptation of this sacred story. Coupled with the realistic and accurately detailed illustrations of
Kwenci Jones, this book gets a high five for being a great book to read with your child.

As a teacher and a grandmother, I find Obara and the Merchants a good character guide (especially in today's world). I think it is so incredible that i will be ordering 10-15 as gifts to my elementary schools' libraries this spring!
This beautifully illustrated book draws children into the story with a moral.
I have given to many of my co-workers and friends' children.