"Light and dark. At school, Yula learns
this is called a day. Yula counts seven,
and this is a week. Four weeks and
this is a month.
Yula plays and sings and learns and
eats and prays and sleeps with others.
Others are all like Yula. Mothers and
fathers are late.
Others are all orphans, too."
Readers quickly learn a hard lesson about Yula, a Kenyan orphan. She is 4. She is hungry; she cannot walk or talk; there are no parents. Stranger, who will soon be called Mum, picks her up, takes her to a hospital to be assessed, and gives her shelter. There Yula is fed, comforted, and guided in learning about the world. She and Mum form a strong bond before she is taken to an orphanage - it is a new word for the young girl. It is now home.
Yula is greeted warmly by the children there. She learns more and more, still unsure about much of what is happening. After many days, Mum takes her to school where she learns with Teacher and the other children. When Mum leaves to do her work, Yula becomes part of the group of children living in the orphanage. After more than a month, Mum returns with a boy named Mutuku. Yula cannot contain her sadness and jealousy. She runs. It is a cold night of rememberance for her as she hides away from everyone.
"Yula shivers. She remembers cold and dark.
Tummy is empty. Yula remembers hungry.
Something howls. Yula remembers afraid.
Yula remembers alone."
Morning sunshine brings Yula back to Mum and Mutuku with an understanding for this new home that will include him, too.
This warm and honest story, illustrated with gouache, acrylic and ink, introduces a very special young girl and her new life. Ms. Jennings credits those who introduced her to the children who live in the Hope Development Center, a Kenyan orphanage.
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