What's Cooking, Jamela? [Paperback]

Niki Daly (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 5, 2002

Mama plans a chicken dinner for Christmas Day, and she gives Jamela the job of fattening up their chicken. But seeing how happy Jamela is with her hen, she wonders just how she'll get it away from Jamela and into the pot. Smelling trouble, Jamela sets off the day before Christmas with the chicken in her arms and a trail of chaos follows - in the street, in the taxi, and even in Miss Style's hairdressing salon. However, as everyone agrees, you can't eat friends, and Christmas Day brings Jamela a delicious meal and the best present of all! Following the success of Jamela's Dress, this new Jamela book features the same delightful characters set in a South African township.

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.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 36 pages
• Publisher: Frances Lincoln (September 5, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 071121705X
• ISBN-13: 978-0711217058
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.2 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #743,108 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: What's 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.