Malaika's Costume
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 Reviews
Narrated in a Caribbean patois, [Malaika's Costume] feels simultaneously like a modern parable and a classic folktale, and manages to provide a mountain of fun educational points –including a brilliant passage that subtly describes the many different types of people one might typically find in the neighbourhood– without feeling like it’s dumping information on the reader. Hohn never forgets that she’s telling a story, first and foremost, and keeps things moving briskly, sneaking in knowledge deftly, like you might hide vegetables in your kids food. When they finish the book they magically know things!-- Kinderlit
[Malaika's Costume] 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.-- The Globe & Mail
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.-- 49th Shelf
A wholly earned celebration.-- Kirkus Review
Like a rainbow peacock itself, the illustrations in this book burst with a frenzy of colors and textures.-- Booklist (American Library Association)
VERDICT A fun choice for libraries seeking books about creativity in general or the Caribbean in particular. –School Library Journal
["Maya" and "Malaika's Costume"] Both books have an appeal and approach similar to the Newbery Medal-winning "Last Stop on Market Street. They're beautifully illustrated, feature children of colour... and concern family connections. Both also highlight the discovery of beauty and strength in unlikely places. These are stories that fly their readers to somewhere new- and, yes, leave them changed.-- Quill & Quire
Narrated in a Caribbean patois, [Malaika's Costume] feels simultaneously like a modern parable and a classic folktale, and manages to provide a mountain of fun educational points –including a brilliant passage that subtly describes the many different types of people one might typically find in the neighbourhood– without feeling like it’s dumping information on the reader. Hohn never forgets that she’s telling a story, first and foremost, and keeps things moving briskly, sneaking in knowledge deftly, like you might hide vegetables in your kids food. When they finish the book they magically know things!-- Kinderlit
[Malaika's Costume] 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.-- The Globe & Mail
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.-- 49th Shelf
A wholly earned celebration.-- Kirkus Review
Like a rainbow peacock itself, the illustrations in this book burst with a frenzy of colors and textures.-- Booklist (American Library Association)
VERDICT A fun choice for libraries seeking books about creativity in general or the Caribbean in particular. –School Library Journal
["Maya" and "Malaika's Costume"] Both books have an appeal and approach similar to the Newbery Medal-winning "Last Stop on Market Street. They're beautifully illustrated, feature children of colour... and concern family connections. Both also highlight the discovery of beauty and strength in unlikely places. These are stories that fly their readers to somewhere new- and, yes, leave them changed.-- Quill & Quire
It is Carnival time. One day a message arrives. Will seven-year-old Malaika let anything stop her from taking part in the Carnival? Malaika's Costume is a picture book written by Nadia L. Hohn and illustrated by Irene Luxbacher which will be published by Groundwood Books in March 2016. Stay tuned!
Order your copy of Malaika's Costume today. Read more here.
