Kindergarten-Grade 3. Rajiv's grandmother, Aaji, remembers a time when everyone in her village ate smoked salmon on Good Friday. But now, there's nothing extra to be had, no "witness" for the special day. Set in Trinidad, this story involves a boy's efforts to earn a tin of salmon for his grandmother's birthday, which happens to fall on Good Friday. Although he tries several neighboring homes, no one can help him. Discouraged, he's ready to give up until he remembers Teacher Omar, whose tiny backyard is covered with Ti Marie, a weed with the potential to carpet a lawn with thorns. He works hard to clear the land and is rewarded not only with the desired tin, but also with a small piece of fresh smoked salmon. Aaji happily gasps with wonder. The customs, the clipped language, and ethnic foods all work to lend a cultural atmosphere to the book. Actually, so many points about life on this Caribbean Island are thrown into the text that readers may get bogged down in details rather than caught up in the emotions of the story. With rich, luminescent hues, the pastel illustrations focus readers' attention on the main character and invite them to follow Rajiv on his journey. One can almost forgive the high-minded, vaguely unnatural text in favor of these lush drawings, which, like the work of Ann Grifalconi, can almost make viewers feel the native heat.?Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Kirkus Reviews
Aaji, Rajiv's grandmother, fondly recalls having a piece of salmon ``for witness'' on Good Friday. Times in Trinidad are harder now, and Aaji has no hope of tasting salmon again. Rajiv sets out to find at least a tin of salmon as a special gift for her, because it is also her birthday. He asks everyone he can think of to allow him to work in exchange for salmon, but no one can help. He finally goes to the home of his teacher and trades an afternoon of weeding for his prize. Rahaman (O Christmas Tree, 1996, etc.) makes central to Rajiv's tale a simplicity of existence, respect for elders, and the notion that hard work has its rewards, in striking contrast to the life most US readers know. Unfortunately, the longwinded narrative is often overwhelmed with detailed descriptions of foods and customs that turn the tale into a social studies lesson, and an uplifting ending can't entirely redeem the rambling plot. The quietly understated pastel illustrations match the tone of the story, employing savory melons, pinks, and golds as warm backgrounds, rather than panoramic scenes of Trinidad. Using a tight focus of faces, the illustrator highlights Rajiv, a compelling character lost within his own story. (Picture book. 6-8) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
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