reward of life.
Origin: BAKONGO
PEOPLE, CENTRAL
AFRICA
Meaning: Community
is very important, and
children are a big part
of any community."
That meaning entry continues: You are pretty special! Everything your parents, your grandparents and everyone else who came before you learned gets passed down, so those ancestors live through you.
Further to that in back matter, we are told the illustrator of the charming illustration that accompanies the proverb is 'Roge, a French Canadian artist who worked in advertising before turning to illustration, painting and writing. He has twice won the Governor General's Literary Award and numerous others. He lives in Quebec.'
The format for this very special book features a double page spread where each adage, origin and meaning are placed on a facing page to an accompanying illustration. The adages have been collected during Mr. Walters' travels in Africa. The diverse group of 15 illustrators whose works honor its pages represent abundant variety in style and medium.
"If you wish to go fast, go alone.
If you wish to go far, go together.
Origin: N'GAMBAY PEOPLE,CENTRAL AFRICA
Meaning: If you need to get somewhere fast,
going alone means no one will slow you down.
But if you're alone, you might be stopped by
obstacles that you can't overcome without help."
The bird's-eye view image shows a zebra speeding forward accompanied by a flock of fast-flying brown birds. Information from the endnotes says this: 'Setor Fiadzibey is an illustrator and former aircraft trainee engineer from Accra, Ghana. He's been drawing all his life, and he was nominated for the Golden Baobab Prize and the Keunyehia Prize.'
A letter from the author, a foreword from Dr. Femi Kolapo, and the short artist bios add context and interest for adults who share this book with its intended audience. In his foreword, Dr.Kolapo suggests that aphorisms are a “kind of portable knowledge” originating in the oral tradition. Each is better read aloud, and then considered for its invitation to think about, respond, and apply to our own lives.
A portion of Walters’ royalties from this book will be donated to the Kenyan orphans supported through his Creation of Hope organization, with Penguin Random House Canada matching that amount.
Lately I have been taking a careful look at the age ranges suggested by publishers. In numerous posts, I have changed their suggested range, thinking that many of the illustrated books are more suited to older readers or, as in this case, all ages. Anyone can appreciate the beauty and the idea that brings it to our attention.
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