Zinzi: A Child's Journey to Self-Fulfillment, Giving and Caring [Paperback]

Lynnette C. Velasco (Author), John Higgins (Illustrator)

Book Description

Zinzi, A Child s Journey to Self fulfillment, Giving and Caring by Lynnette C. Velasco is a book that every parent and teacher must give as a gift to every child. Pride, respect and dignity overwhelm each page that interchangeably illustrates and radiates with Zinzi's discovery of her ancestral past roots as a queen in Egypt. You'll particularly fancy the illustrative references throughout this magnificent book that engulf responsibility from the young character, Zinzi, and as she wears full safety gear while skating down the streets of her new neighborhood one day. Her feelings of un-fulfillment in noticing a changed environment leads her to entertain herself and bring life to her neighborhood. The picture of her jumping in front of the setting sun is breathtaking. Later on, you can feel her emotions while she stands gazing over her family while they are engaged in communication at the table, and something many families do not entertain today. She is thinking back in time to when she was an African princess. There's mother talking and laughing with Zinzi while stirring some hot tea after family time. You can just feel the warmness and smell the sweet aroma piping from this beautiful book that is deserving of a Caldecott Award. Reader's will be swept away when able to envision Zinzi reading a book about Egypt. On this magical journey of knowledge, you will share Zinzi s pride as she reinvents herself, best friend Carmen and brother Asi becoming African Kings and Queens. You will also be able to reinact this ceremony that children from 5 to 99 will enjoy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Zinzi is about an African American girl s family that moves from the busy streets of apartment living to a home in the quiet suburbs. As with all moves comes the task of making new friends. Zinzi being the friendly character that she is does not have problems making friends and befriends a little girl named Carmen who happens to be ill. Carmen s illness has left her unhappy and depressed, which is why Zinzi s mother is very supportive of her helping Carmen. Zinzi is also reminded that there was a time when she felt sad and grouchy . After that realization, what Zinzi does to help her friend is what all female friendship should be...to pick a girlfriend up when she is down. Ms. Velasco does an excellent job at stressing the importance of family history and values throughout the book. I especially enjoyed the child friendly recipes included at the back of the book. As we all know, helping a girlfriend deal with a problem is always better over a plate of food. Reviewed By: Alfreda Owens Black Butterfly Review --Alfreda Owens, Black Butterfly Review

Children who read this book will watch the young Zinzi become an African Princess right before their eyes, and are invited to eat a delicious array of her delicious yummy treats like Banana Milkshake, Orange Julius, Apple Sauce, Fruit Salad, Carrot Cake, Cream Chees Frosting, Cream Cheese Fudge, Pumpkin Bread, Homemade Peanut Butter, Zinzi Punch, Frozen Peach Cubes, Sweet Popcorn Mix, Zinzi Toast, Three Quick & Easy Dips and Baked Crisp Tortilla Chips, Banana- Strawberry Yogurt Smoothies and Breakfast Bread Puddings. When asked to reflect on why the need for Zinzi and why focus on the children s lliterature market that next to poetry is the most difficult selling market, and why self publish, Ms Velasco smiled and stated, Zinzi: A Child's Journey to Self Fulfillment, Giving and Caring , is somewhat of an autobiography and in large part based on the lessons instilled by my family." She continued stating that her parents exposed her to historical black cultural events stemming from their own knowledge because growing up there was very little history taught about black folks in school at the time she was making her way through the public school system in New York City. As for her decision to wholeheartedly embrace or tackle the children s literature market and self publish, she simply said, I love the world of children s literature, especially as it relates to people of color and embraces diversity and let s children know at the earliest stages of their development, that no matter what the challenge, positive possibilities are limitless. I believe there is a bit of Jonathan Livingston Seagull in all of us and we must let our children know that they must dare to dream and to fly. --Reviewed by Heather Covington, President of Disigold Review

About the Author

Lynnette Velasco is blessed to travel a successful though at times bumpy career road as a writer. She is a political consultant, businesswoman and most importantly, poet and children's book author. She was honored by the PEN American Center as an emerging writer of color for her children's book, Zinzi: A Child's Journey to Self Fulfillment, Giving and Caring. Zinzi was chosen to become part of the distinguished children's book collection, the du Grummond Collection at the University of Southern Mississippi. She is also developing a self esteem enriching product line, "Good Thoughts for Young Folks," that will include bookmarks, journals, and greeting cards. She visits New York City public and charter schools and enjoys doing Author Read Aloud programs with students.

She holds a BA in English from Hampton University. Lynnette's theme is "Literacy for learning, for living, for life!"

Ms. Velasco belongs to the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, the New York Association of Black Journalists and Black Americans in Publishing. She is a contributor to the Essence Best Seller list book of essays to encourage literacy, Turn the Page and You Don t Stop: Sharing Successful Chapters in Our Lives With Children, edited by Patrick M. Oliver.

Product Details

• Paperback: 44 pages
• Publisher: Worldwide Publications, Inc. (February 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966182316
• ISBN-13: 978-0966182316
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,729,327 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Black Butterfly Review, July 22, 2005

By 

Black Butterfly Review (Maryland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zinzi: A Child's Journey to Self-Fulfillment, Giving and Caring (Paperback)

Zinzi is about an African American girl's family that moves from the busy streets of apartment living to a home in the quiet suburbs. As with all moves comes the task of making new friends. Zinzi being the friendly character that she is does not have problems making friends and befriends a little girl named Carmen who happens to be ill.

Carmen's illness has left her unhappy and depressed, which is why Zinzi's mother is very supportive of her helping Carmen. Zinzi is also reminded that there was a time when she felt "sad and grouchy". After that realization, what Zinzi does to help her friend is what all female friendship should be...to pick a girlfriend up when she is down.

I as the reviewer felt that although the book was a little long in bringing you to its point, Ms. Valasco does an excellent job at stressing the importance of family history and values throughout the book. I especially enjoyed the child friendly recipes included at the back of the book. As we all know, helping a girlfriend deal with a problem is always better over a plate of food.

Reviewed By: Alfreda Owens
Black Butterfly Review

3.0 out of 5 stars A story fit for a Princess, May 30, 2004

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zinzi; A Child's Journey to Self-Fulfillment, Giving and Caring (Paperback)

When the Palmers moved from the bustling, energetic city to the quiet, serene suburbs, Zinzi Palmer's world was turned upside down. Normally a curious, happy 10 year old, she became sad and lost some of her zeal. She missed her friends from the city, and the quietness of their new neighborhood irked her. The story begins with Zinzi preparing herself for a boring, insipid summer of uneventful daydreaming.

Life gets interesting for Zinzi when she is tasked with cheering up her ill best friend, Carmen, whose illness depleted her energy, spirit, and motivation. "Zinzi knew she faced a challenge of great importance." It's left up to Zinzi to restore Carmen's normally high spirits. In doing so, Zinzi learns how to be a real friend, to appreciate what she has, and that where there is a will there is a way.

Zinzi's lyrical journey gives valuable African history and moral lessons. I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to parents wanting to teach their children how to be selfless, giving, and caring.