Tap-Tap [Paperback]

Karen Lynn Williams (Author), Catherine Stock (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Sasifi longs to ride a tap-tap, a truck that carries passengers and their belongings in rural Haiti.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

As they did in Galimoto , Williams and Stock here bring a cultural tradition to life for young readers. The setting is Haiti, zestfully rendered in Stock's brightly hued watercolors. Sasifi carries a basket on her head for the first time as she walks to market with Mama. Tired and hot, the girl longingly watches a passing tap-tap--a covered, festively painted pickup truck carrying marketgoers and their goods. Announcing they do not have enough money to ride the tap-tap, Mama curtly says, "Perhaps you are not yet big enough to help me on market day." Sasifi proves otherwise, competently selling all of their oranges--and collecting the correct amount of money--while Mama goes off to do her marketing. Her reward is her very first "fine new hat"--and some coins to buy herself a treat. The spirited child passes up the tempting goodies of the bustling marketplace for a ride home in the tap-tap. Children (even those younger than the intended audience) will enjoy the rollicking ride almost as much as Sasifi herself--who learns to "tap-tap" on the truck's side when she wants it to stop. Ages 6-9.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3-The journey to market is long, and eight-year-old Sasifi wants to take the "tap-tap"-the brightly painted bus that is the principal mode of public transportation in Haiti-but her mother tells her that they do not have enough money. At the market the child does an excellent job helping to sell oranges, and her mother rewards her with a straw hat and a few coins. The girl chooses to spend them by treating herself and her mother to a tap-tap ride home. As they speed down a road, Sasifi's hat blows off. It is rescued, however, and all ends well. Lively storytelling and illustrations make this an appealing if predictable picture book. There is not a wasted stroke in Stock's spare watercolors, which feature exquisitely detailed images in brilliant colors against the white background of the page. They capture the variety of wares at the market and the uniquely painted vehicles. There are many humorous moments in this sweet slice-of-life story; its brisk pace will keep youngsters engaged.
Lyn Miller-Lachmann, Siena College Library, Loudonville, NY
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (September 18, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395720869
• ISBN-13: 978-0395720868
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet but not sugar-coated, March 13, 2001

By 

margie meares (Asheville, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tap-Tap (Paperback)

This is a sweet little book. The illustrations are beautiful watercolors with lots of detail that will appeal to young inquisitive eyes. (I know because I tested it on my favorite three year old.) The story is a simple one of a trip to market and a more interesting trip back to the village. A story of wanting, of responsibility, and of reward. I think books that share even a glimpse of another culture to our American children are very valuable. This book could raise many important questions in children who have no concept of being so poor you must walk everywhere you go. It offers that glimpse without being harsh in anyway. As I said, its sweet and yet one notices our main characters have no shoes for their feet. The writing is beautiful and reads well out loud. It is a simple enough story that most third graders can read it for themselves. Its also informative for adults. Now I know why the Haitian jitney is called a Tap-Tap. Tap-Tap gets a high recommendation.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Adopting from Haiti, April 10, 2007

By 

Mother of 4 readers (Utah) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tap-Tap (Paperback)

This book gives a great view of a day in Haiti. I'm excited to share it with my Haitian Daughter.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book for kids!, January 14, 2009

By 

C. Ray (Canal Winchester, Ohio) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tap-Tap (Paperback)

I do medical missions in Haiti and found this book to be colorful and a good way for children in the US to learn a bit about what life in Haiti is like.