One Child, One Seed: A South African Counting Book
- Book Review,
by Kathryn Cave, Gisele Wulfsohn (Photographer)
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2-Cave has taken the idea of a counting book one step beyond, and turned it into a fascinating social-studies lesson, in the best sense. Children count from 1 to 10 with Nothando as she plants a pumpkin seed that grows to bear fruit for a delicious stew. "One child, one seed. Two hands to plant the seed. Three ways to help it grow," the text reads. But that is just the beginning in this gem of a book. In a harmonious partnership of narrative and crisp, beautifully composed photographs that show the individuality of each person, readers get a glimpse into the life of an extended family living in a rural South African community. Spreads consist of a left-hand counting page where the story of the seed is told through a minimal text and color photograph that clearly shows the objects to be counted. On the opposite page, the narrative continues with a line of large-print text, along with a small photo and additional text offering further details about the life of this community, including games, transportation, and the local store. The only quibble is that Nothando and her extended family are not shown enjoying the long-awaited feast. The recipe for isijingi, the pumpkin stew, is included as are some basic geographical facts and a simple map. The writing has good rhythm, and reads aloud well. All in all, this fine counting book is a welcome addition to any collection, and will enrich harvest units.Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York CityCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
K-Gr. 2. With beautiful color photos of a contemporary South African child and her extended family in a small rural community in Kwazulu, Natal, this photo-essay brings children up close to the daily struggle for food and shelter and the hard work and close bonds that make things happen. On the left of each double-page spread is a simple counting story, starting with one child, Nothando, and one pumpkin seed. Two hands plant the seed, and so on, ending with 10 dinner plates piled high with food. The opposite pages fill in the facts with words and photos. There's no romanticism, nor is there pity or condescension; life is hard, but the family pulls together. Adults might want to talk with older children about what's missing: there are no adult men (they are working far away), and there's no electricity. The focus on one child is a great way to tell the universal story. A portion of the book's profits goes to a global charity project. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Book Description
A counting book to widen the horizons, packed with information about the life and culture of South Africa.
"One child, one seed.
Two hands to plant the seed.
Three ways to help it grow."
Cultivating, sharing, preparing. Starting with a single seed in a child’s hand and leading right through to a warm, nourishing meal (with plenty for all), this colorful book offers up a satisfying story of the fruits of a communal effort.
So play a simple counting game. Watch a pumpkin grow. Follow young Nothando and discover the rhythms of her daily life in this vivid portrait of one child, one seed, and the South African village in which they both thrive.
About the Author
Kathryn Cave has written numerous books for children of all ages. In 1997, her book Something Else was awarded the first UNESCO Prize for Services to Tolerance in Children’s Literature. Ms. Cave lives and works in England. This is her second collaboration with Oxfam.
Gisèle Wulfsohn is a South African photographer who studied at the Johannesburg College of Art. She was one of five photographers commissioned to document the first democratic elections in South Africa, and her resulting pictures were published in the book An End to Waiting. She lives with her family in Johannesburg, South Africa.
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