If you have a reluctant reader at home or one of those children who say, “Why do I need to go to school?” share Amadi’s Snowman with them. Written by Katia Novet Saint-Lot and illustrated by Dimitrea Tokunbo, this wonderful book for children ages four to eight shows why learning to read is important.

Amadi’s Snowman takes place in Nigeria. Amadi’s mother wants him to learn how to read. But Amadi being a proud, young Igbo man, wants to be a businessman. Why work in an office when trading in the marketplace is so much fun?

Sneaking out of his reading lesson, he goes to the market and sees a older boy reading in a book stall. It’s a story about a snowman, a strange white creature with a carrot for a nose. Amadi is intrigued and wants to learn more. Slowly Amadi discovers how reading can open up a new world to him. The more he could read, the more he would know.

I loved Amadi’s Snowman. Not only is it a beautiful book and a sweet story, but it shows the magic of reading and how it’s the key to knowing so much about the world and its wonders. Younger children will enjoy the illustrations, story and characters. (Lucie said she loved it, too.) Teachers, parents and grandparents will appreciate the message.

Resources

Classroom activities:

• Amadi’s Snowman is published by Tilbury House. On their website are resources for parents, teachers and homeschoolers. Click here to find discussion points, links, a book list, and activities for Amadi’s Snowman.

More about the author and illustrator:

• Amadi’s Snowman author, Katia Novet Saint-Lot, used to live in Nigeria where her husband’s work for UNICEF took them. You can learn more about Nigeria at her website. She and her family now live in India.
• The illustrator, Dimitrea Tokunbo, brings to life the day-to-day experiences of life in Nigeria, where her father grew up. She’s an accomplished author, too.

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