USBBY's Outstanding International Books List
Américas Award Honorable Mention
School Library Journal Best Picture Books
A Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year "A wholly earned celebration." --
Kirkus Reviews "A fun choice for libraries seeking books about creativity in general or the Caribbean in particular." --
School Library Journal "Like a rainbow peacock itself, the illustrations in this book burst with a frenzy of colors and textures." --
Booklist Online "The text is told in the colloquial voice of the little girl, and readers will quickly and easily feel a part of her circle. Carnival is an important holiday in many cultures, and it's good to have a picture book to celebrate it." --
Horn Book "This is actually a realistic portrait of the consequences of global immigration and economics. But it's also the story of how much little girls love their moms. Beautiful." --
Globe and Mail "Hohn employs a unique style of voice that is both figuratively and literaly lyrical." --
Canadian Children's Book News "Malaika's Costume is a highly recommended story that celebrates the different cultures of the world and the emotional journey of a young child." --
CM Magazine ." . . an engaging, poignant story with exquisite taste and wonderful details." --
Kinderlit
It’s Carnival time. The first Carnival since Malaika’s mother moved away to find a good job and provide for Malaika and her grandmother. Her mother promised she would send money for a costume, but when the money doesn’t arrive, will Malaika still be able to dance in the parade?
Disappointed and upset at her grandmother’s hand-me-down costume, Malaika leaves the house, running into Ms. Chin, the tailor, who offers Malaika a bag of scrap fabric. With her grandmother’s help, Malaika creates a patchwork rainbow peacock costume, and dances proudly in the parade.
A heartwarming story about family, community and the celebration of Carnival, Nadia Hohn’s warm and colloquial language and Irene Luxbacher’s vibrant collage-style illustrations make this a strikingly original picture book.