Synopses & Reviews
Years ago, I visited Kenya and never left. More accurately, I returned to my home in Wisconsin, but Kenya never left me. It happens to everyone. The sky was so wide and blue that it didn't seem to have a top at all. The silence was so deep I could hear my own heart thunder in my ears. Animals were everywhere. They galloped and swung their heads and slithered across the mara, beautiful and deadly. Sometimes I'd see a Maasai, red-robed, sometimes standing on one leg, often with a rod in his hand. It seemed to me he was the guardian of it all. A Maasai father's greatest treasure is his child. It is his pleasure and duty to raise his son to be strong, brave, and competent, because his boy will be the future guardian of Maasailand. The story of Papa, Do You Love Me?, tells the tender duty of fathers everywhere. This follow-up to the best-selling Mama, Do You Love Me? (over one million copies sold in 15 languages!) captures the universal love between a father and child. Set in Africa and featuring the Maasai culture, the beautiful watercolor illustrations, lyrical text, and enduring message are sure to make this another instant classic.
Review
PRAISE FORand#160;FOLLOWING PAPA'S SONG:
"...exuberant and gorgeous..."and#160;and#8212;Publishers Weekly,and#160;starred review
"...a heartwarming reminder of how children learn to trust and listen for papasand#8217; songs in our lives."and#160;and#8212;School Library Journal,and#160;starred review
"This beautifully executed book about the bond between father and child that can be as deep as the darkest sea and powerful enough to help navigate in times of trouble will resonate with readers both young and old." and#160;and#8212;Kirkus,and#160;starred review
"A gorgeous, comforting book that provides a lovely counterpoint to Marinoand#8217;s Meet Me at the Moon (2012)."and#160;and#8212;Booklist
PRAISE FOR GIANNA'S FIRST BOOK,and#160;MEET ME AT THE MOON:
and#160;
"Marino's breathtaking panoramas make an already powerful story sing."and#160;and#8212;Publishers Weekly,and#160;starred review
and#160;
"The textured mixed-media art paired with the flowing text elevates this title above most missing-mama fare ... Radiating warmth and comfort, this distinguished title strikes home."and#160;and#8212;Kirkus,and#160;starred review
and#160;
"Heartfelt and sincere, yet never cloying, this will work well one on one or in story hours."and#160;and#8212;Booklist
PRAISE FOR GIANNA'S SECOND BOOK,and#160;TOO TALL HOUSES:
"The animals are full of heartfelt emotions, from anger and frustration to happy contentment...This story about friendship and togetherness contains a great lesson without being didactic or moralizing and should be welcome in most collections." and#8212;School Library Journal,and#160;starred review
"The well-turned, dialogue-rich narrative complements the sunny visuals, making this an excellent choice for one-on-one or group read-alouds...Another winner for rising star Marino." and#160;and#8212;Kirkus,and#160;starred review
and#8220;and#8230;a story of friendship that youngsters can understand and relate to.and#8221; and#8212;Library Media Connection
Synopsis
This follow-up to the best-selling Mama, Do You Love Me? (over one million copies sold in 15 languages!) captures the universal love between a father and child. Set in Africa and featuring the Maasai culture, the beautiful watercolor illustrations, lyrical text, and enduring message are sure to make this another instant classic.
Synopsis
and#147;Papa?and#8221;asked Little Blue. and#147;Are we going very far?and#8221; and#147;Yes, Little Blue. We will travel farther than we have ever gone before.and#8221; and#160; As two whales swim together through the big ocean, Little Blue has many questions for Papa, especially ones about the long migration. How will they know the way? Will he be able to keep up? What will they see along the way?
Papa has answers for all these questions, but Little Blue remains curious as they begin their journey. What could be down below, where they canand#8217;t see? The answer is a magical world and Little Blue is enchanted . . . and#160;until there is only darkness surrounding the young whale. and#160;But if Little Blue is quiet and listens, can Little Blue hear Papaand#8217;s song?
Filled with the wonders of the ocean and the comfort of a fatherand#8217;s presence, Following Papaand#8217;s Song is a heartwarming story to be read again and again.
About the Author
Barbara M. Joosse lives in a small stone house beside a wide creek in Wisconsin. She visited schools in Kenya and Uganda in 1997, and the Maasai and their tenderness toward their children planted a seed in her heart that grew into the idea for this book. This is her twenty-eighth book for children.
Barbara Lavallee's vibrant watercolor illustrations are known around the world, especially in Alaska where she lives. Ms. Lavallee has illustrated many books for children, including This Place is Wild: East Africa by Vicki Cobb. She has twice visited Afric