Sometimes the smallest thing, like a piece of cloth can do big things. And these two books have that theme in common.
I do not know about you, but my mother had a couple items of clothing that I associated with her. Now, I didn’t use one of them to feel closer to her when she would leave, but I understand Chino and her bond with her mother and needed the sleeping scarf. Chino’s mother must have her sleeping scarf, with its bold colors and circles, to keep her hair nice and healthy at nice. And Chino loves that scarf almost as much as mama, as it gives her comfort. And when mama must leave one day for a while, worries that she will not come back occur, but leave it to a mom to know how to fix that issue. Overall, this is just a cute story about worries and adventures, along with routines and family. Mama’s Sleeping Scarf shows how things are connected, how family related and how mama comes home. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Nwa Grace-James shows us a family and all the seemingly small pieces of themselves. In September 2023 we can marvel t the story and enjoy the brightly colored and perfectly detailed illustrations of Joelle Avelino.
If you are looking for a good book about one person and a bit of how he was giving the gift of self-esteem instilled in him, you need Patchwork Prince. Baptiste Paul’s story is simple but has important advice. Paul and his mother must grab the cloth the local company is destroying before they get caught. Paul tells us, with the eyes of a child, what is happening around us. And one of those things is that when they can save the colorful cloth, his mother is able to make him some special clothes in the form of a cape. A cape that makes him a prince. And to be a prince you need to be strong, fair, and humble. You need to be ready for the danger and realize how special you are. All without flashy jewels or fancy clothes. Growing up in Lt. Lucia, Paul lived in poverty but rich in what counted. And his story shows how his family, and how the bond a mother and son have, can make the most out of what little they had. It is a beautiful story with equally beautiful Kit Thomas illustrations.
Both are for slightly older children, but all ages (including children at heart) can enjoy.
