What's Cooking, Jamela? [School & Library Binding]

Niki Daly (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

"Who could resist playful, imaginative Jamela?" -- School Library Journal

When Mrs. Zibi arrives to prepare the Christmas meal, Jamela decides to save Christmas, her chicken, from going into the cooking pot. She sets off with the chicken in her arms . . . and a trail of chaos follows. Suddenly it's Jamela, not the chicken, who is in hot water. But, as Jamela proclaims on Christmas's behalf, "You can't eat friends!"

This boisterous Yuletide story for all seasons features the same colorful South African township characters who made Jamela's Dress, an ALA Notable Book, such a delight.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The exuberant heroine of Jamela's Dress returns in a new adventure, What's Cooking, Jamela? by Niki Daly, that finds her determined to save Christmas, her pet chicken, from a starring role in the family's holiday meal. In a most satisfactory ending, Mama and Jamela prepare a vegetarian meal for the family instead. The tale opens a window on South African culture, from a school nativity play ("Jamela played Mary and carried baby Jesus on her back like a real mama") to brightly patterned fabrics and a sprinkling of colorful Xhosa and Zulu vocabulary.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

reS-Gr 2-The child introduced in Jamela's Dress (Farrar, 1999) is back in another story set in her South African township. When her mother buys a live chicken to fatten up for Christmas dinner and puts Jamela in charge of its care, the girl names it "Christmas" and becomes so attached to it that she can't bear to let it be slaughtered-after all, "you can't eat friends." Energetic and exuberant watercolor artwork highlights Jamela's close-knit family and bustling community. An enjoyable read that children will ask for year-round.-E. M.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• School & Library Binding: 36 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (October 8, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374356025
• ISBN-13: 978-0374356026
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,293,312 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Very realistic, August 3, 2008

By 

Ulyyf "Connie" (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Whats Cooking Jamela (Paperback)

I love the Jamela books.

In this one, Jamela's mother makes the serious mistake of letting her daughter name and become friendly with the chicken they intend to slaughter, eventually resorting to sending her kid on a fool's errand the day before Christmas.

Jamela's no fool - she takes the chicken with her! Hijinks ensue, and Jamela's poor mother gets no sympathy from her neighbors who all (predictably) think Jamela is the cutest thing ever.

There's the normal happy ending, but it's done well enough that it doesn't seem *that* obvious. And all the characters clearly love and care for each other, that's always nice. Can't recommend this one enough.

Note for those interested in the subject, this book does show a quick scene of Jamela wearing a doll (Baby Jesus) on her back in a kanga.