Mama Panya's Pancakes

by Mary and Rich Chamberlin, Julia Cairns (Illustrator)

Overview

"A lyrically written story...highlights the value of kindness, generosity and pulling together as a group" – Little Global Citizens

On market day, Mama Panya's son Adika invites everyone he sees to a pancake dinner. How will Mama Panya ever feed them all? This clever and heartwarming story about Kenyan village life teaches the importance of sharing, even when you have little to give.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781905236640
Publisher:	Barefoot Books
Publication date:	03/01/2006
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	163,458
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 9.75(h) x 0.16(d)
Lexile:	AD600L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 10 Years

About the Author

Mary and Rich Chamberlin are a husband-and-wife writing team. They love to travel and have done so extensively, including trips to Kenya and Tanzania, where they contracted "Mal Afrique" — the strong desire to return to that great continent. They are longtime members of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and cofounders of several local writers' groups. When they aren't busy writing, Mary works as a freelance Television Producer and Director, and Rich as an engineer. Mary and Rich live in Illinois, USA, where they share their home with their dog, Trisha, and their French-Lop rabbit, Bean.

Julia Cairns began her career as a fine artist in Botswana, Africa, where she lived for nine years. Though she now resides in the United States, Julia continues to be inspired by the joy and hopeful spirit that she found in the people of Botswana. Julia lives in Northern California with her husband, two children, two dogs, two horses and three chickens.

Editorial Reviews

"A lyrically written story...highlights the value of kindness, generosity and pulling together as a group" – Little Global Citizens

From the Publisher

K-Gr 3-Mama Panya and her son, Adika, are all ready for market day where Mama is planning on using her few coins to buy the ingredients to make pancakes for dinner. Adika is so excited that he can't help inviting all of their friends and neighbors. Mama Panya is worried that his generosity may be more than her few coins and their meager supplies can provide. Luckily all of the guests arrive with gifts, and a Kenyan cross between "Stone Soup" and the story of the loaves and the fishes is realized. A recipe, map, details about daily life, and facts about Kiswahili and Kenya are included. With their bold colors, vivid patterns, and lush scenery, the illustrations will transport readers into this country to walk alongside Mama Panya and Adika on their way to market. Details from animals to foliage are depicted clearly and provide more than just a backdrop to the story; they're a great introduction to the landscape and people of East Africa. A strong selection for a read-aloud or as a supplement to units on Africa, community, or generosity.-Genevieve Gallagher, Murray Elementary School, Charlottesville, VA Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

There is a timeless quality to this contemporary story about a Kenyan boy and his mother stretching their food to feed all their friends. As he walks to market with his mom, Adika invites everyone he sees to a pancake dinner, but Mama Panya is worried. She needn't be, because all the guests come bearing food. To accompany the few pancakes, there is milk and butter from the Maasai children's cattle, fish caught by the old man, Mzee Odolo, flour for another day, and salt and cardamom. Rafiki Kaya even brings her mbira, her thumb piano. The old tradition of sharing all one's food with others works again. With the repetition of the phrase "a little bit and a little bit more," the folkloric feeling intensifies. The watercolor paintings are filled with details of the countryside and the marketplace, although the naive portrayal of the adults and children tends to be a bit broad. With a recipe for spicy pancakes, information about local animals and village life in Kenya, some general facts and a map, this story will be a welcome addition to a school unit as well as traditional storytime. (Picture book. 6-8)

Kirkus Reviews