Product Description

The story of two young Kenyan boys, one Maasai and one Kikuyu, who find a way to overcome their traditional rivalries and become friends.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #512695 in Books
• Published on: 2009-07-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 40 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781600603655
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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From School Library Journal
Grade 2–5—In Kenya, the Maasai are cattle herders and the more numerous Kikuyu are farmers. The two groups often fight about land use. This story uses that age-old conflict as a vehicle for contemplating enmity and friendship. When Abaani, a Maasai boy, sees young Haki's Kikuyu vegetable stall near his family's grazing land, he repeats what he's heard from his elders: "You destroy our land!" Haki, of course, takes offense, and the boys are ready to become enemies. However, they see one another's good qualities when circumstances force them together to rescue a straying toddler. Repeated exposure and a few good games of mancala finally bring about a mutual trust, and they take a real step toward peace when they decide to trade veggies for milk, and to introduce their families. A framing metaphor about the harmony between zebra, wildebeests, and the Thomson's gazelle gently reinforces the lesson. Heartfelt storytelling and strong research combine to offer a universal message with a unique setting. The clear, light-filled illustrations are expressive and create a sense of place. A lovely, hopeful story that manages to convey its message with minimal didacticism.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL END

About the Author
Lynne Barasch is a Lee and Low author.

Customer Reviews

Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children
Abaani, a Maasai youngster who helps his family by taking the cattle out to graze, notices a new roadside stall one day and another boy selling fruits and vegetables. The boy, Haki, is a member of the Kikuyu tribe. Both boys have learned about the hostilities between the Maasai and the Kikuyu, and it does not take long before they are trading insults and threatening each other. It takes the unexpected need for cooperation to avoid a serious accident for the boys to start a new path toward trust and friendship.

Interwoven into this tale is an important lesson in economics about barter: when the boys resolve their differences they quickly figure out they can exchange cow's milk for produce. The author's note further explains that economic issues are a source of the conflicts between the Maasai and Kikuyu in Kenya, particularly with the Maasai having lost much of their grazing land to new farms, and the Kikuyu having lost crops to cattle that have strayed to their farmland. Lynne Barasch has produced yet another outstanding book as rich in substantive content as it is lovely in artistic impression.

EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINING


In Kenya as is unfortunately true in many of the world's places people from one tribe, family or region dislike those from another. Why? Often, because it has always been so. That was the case with the Massai and the Kikuyu in FIRST COME THE ZEBRA, a story of encouragement and hope for peace throughout the world.

Set in the grassland of Kenya it is the time of the great migration when almost two million animals will leave Tanzania where all the grass has been eaten to find the lush, green grass in Kenya. First come the zebras who eat only the top of the grass. Next is the wildebeest who eats the middle sections of grass, and finally the Thomson's gazelle who eats the last few inches. A lovely example of sharing.

Abaani is a young Massai boy who helps his family with their cattle by taking them out to graze. One morning he sees a fruit and vegetable stall along the road. He has not seen it before and it is being tended by a Kikuyu boy about Abaani's age. The boys take an immediate dislike to each other, repeating the cruel words they have heard their elders say.

How two small boys learn to know and like each other is the crux of Lynne Barasch's story written in the hope that the youth of all countries will work to change attitudes and opinions so that people will come together and live in peace.

- Gail Cooke

Sweet Story!
This was a very sweet story about putting aside differences and prejudices. The art was very pretty and would keep a children's eye moving about the page. Very enjoyable!