Coming Of Age In Somalia
In this time of national difficulty, I was grateful for the opportunity to read and review this lovely book, "Spirit of the Cheetah: A Somali Tale", suitable for children 4-8 years of age. The book tells the story of Roblay, a young Somali, and how he perseveres and learns in order to succeed in a race and, in his eyes, become a man. Karen Lynn Williams, an American author of children's books, and Khadra Mohammed, a Somali native and former director of the Pittsburgh Refuge Center, collaborated on this book. Williams and Mohammed had earlier collaborated on another children's story, "Four Feet: Two Sandals", which tells of the experiences of two young friends in a refuge camp on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. The artist Julia Cairns illustrated "Spirit of the Cheetah" with beautiful, colorful, and joyful images.
Roblay is disappointed due to has lack of success in the annual race for budding adolescents in his village. His grandfather advises him to improve his running skills by relaxing and by learning from the cheetah and from the mighty, swift-flowing river Shabelle. The grandfather advises Roblay to "leave his thumbprint on the cheetah's coat."
The book follows Roblay to the Shabelle River where he finds a cheetah and slowly improves his running skills and his attitude by watching the cheetah and the Shabelle. Although he does better in the next year's race, his grandfather wisely suggests to his grandson the earlier actions that deserve more praise: "You became a man even before the race began."
This book will encourage children to think about a culture with which they are likely unfamiliar. It teaches the value of hard work, of living with nature, and of community. The illustrations of the cheetah, the Shabelle, and the village enhance the story. Roblay also has his own pet cat. The book is a delight.
Children and their adult readers will enjoy discussing this book. The discussion might start with a map, so that the children may learn the location of Somalia.
This book is published by Wisdom Tales, a publisher of children's books from around the world with spiritual, ethical themes. Wisdom Tales kindly sent me a review copy of this endearing little Somali story.
Robin Friedman
