Children’s book tackles diversity
When I saw the Bumble Books Press release for I am Alex, it couldn’t have come at a better time. Alyssa has started noticing things. Little things. Differences. And she has started asking questions. In her class at school, there is a mix of different races and religions but to those kids, it doesn’t mean all too much – but they are naturally curious as to why there are these differences!
Alyssa and I attended the book launch and reading of I am Alex last month(a first for both of us) and it was absolutely lovely to sit down and actually listen to the first time author Elena Agnello, read the story to us.
Nelson Mandela once said ‘No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart.’
The truth in this statement shines through the words and illustrations in this book and it’s simply and effectively portrayed.
An invitation to a birthday party is something all children can relate to! ‘It’s Alex’s birthday and she is inviting her friends to her party: Kaleb has two dads, Lina goes to church on Fridays, Zia has a wheelchair, Vuyo is her best friend and Rashida does Indian dancing. Everyone is welcome, please come too!
Alyssa loves these characters and even points out how the Sari worn by Rashida looks just like the Sari her friends Mom has worn!
With delightful illustrations by Adrie le Roux the characters and the situations are alive and easily recognisable. This book achieves its goal of showing that we are all the same whatever our race or our culture.
This is definitely our number one book on the shelf at the moment!
The book is now available at most well-known bookstores for R149, but should you not find it you can contact Print Matters.
Now for the good news! Print Matters and Hayley’s Joys is giving 1 lucky reader the chance to win a copy of I am Alex! To win, all you have to do is Follow Hayley’s Joys via email by:
- Entering your email address on the right-hand side of this page – where it says “Subscribe To Blog via E-mail)
- Leave a comment below to let me know that you’ve done so.
The Competition is open to SA entries only.
The Competition closes at midnight 7 June 2016 and the winner will be announced on the 8th of June 2016.
This book sounds lovely. Have subscribed.
Olivia Rodrigues has put her email address and subscribed 🙂
I have entered and subscribed
Entered and subscribed 🙂 sounds like a wonderful book.
subscribed and would love this book for my 3 kids
Subscribed and really I hope I win this time lol
Subscribed oh I would love to win this book for my son
Subscribed! My son will love this book
Done, my daughter just loves books
Subscribed 🙂
I love your review on this book. Need to get one for my boy. Hopefully I can win one, otherwise I will definitely buy it! Subscribed and holding fingers.
Would love to win! Subscribed and now holding fingers and toes 😉
Done. My daughter would love this 🙂
Lovely and very appropriate book. Definitely subscribed.
I have subscribed
I have subscribed
done.
my son loves books – this one would be perfect for his collection
[…] P.S – Have you entered the Competition to win a copy of Alyssa’s favourite book yet? If you haven’t, there is still time. You can enter here. […]
Long time subscriber – does that get me and extra entry? 🙂
Done 🙂 Lovely book!