Description
Malaika’s mother can’t buy her a carnival costume — will she still be able to dance in the parade?
It’s carnival time — the first carnival since Malaika’s mother moved to Canada to find a good job and provide for Malaika and her grandmother. Her mother promised she would send money for a costume, and Malaika marks off the days on her calendar as she waits for Mummy’s letter to arrive. But when the letter finally comes, Malaika learns that there is no money for her costume.
Disappointed and upset at the thought of wearing 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.
This heartwarming story about family, community and the celebration of carnival is written in a blend of standard English and Caribbean patois. Nadia L. Hohn’s warm prose and Irene Luxbacher’s vibrant collage-style illustrations make this a strikingly original picture book.
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.6
With prompting and support, name the author and illustrator of a story and define the role of each in telling the story.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.1
Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 3 to 6
- Grade:
- p to 1
- Reading age:
- 3 to 7
Awards
- Commended, Commended TD Grade One Book Giveaway Selection, 2021
- Commended, Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year
- Commended, USBBY's Outstanding International Books List
- Runner-up, Américas Award Honorable Mention
- Commended, School Library Journal Best Books
- Commended, CCBC Best Books for Children and Teens, starred selection
- Winner, Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario Children's Literature Award
- Commended, OLA Best Bets Honourable Mention
Editorial Reviews
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
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
. . . an engaging, poignant story with exquisite taste and wonderful details.
— Kinderlit
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
A wholly earned celebration.
— Kirkus
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Annotations
Librarian review
Malaika's Costume
It’s Carnival time. The first Carnival since Malaika’s mother moved to Canada 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?
Indo-Caribbean students will connect to the story of the young girl who is waiting to be reunited with her mother who has moved to Canada. When teaching social studies, this book will help readers learn about Afrocentric identity, consider the diversity of families, the importance of carnival and cultural celebrations, and the specific bond between grandparent and grandchild. The idea of creating a costume is central to this story, thus inspiring students to share stories of costumes in their own lives.
Also available: Chin Chiang and the Dragon's Dance
Author available for school visits @Nadialhohn
Source: Association of Canadian Publishers. Top Grade Selection 2016.
