Off the Beaten Track

By Nikki Tate

I was thrilled to hear that the newest Scaredy Squirrel picture book by Melanie Watt had been released (and, yes, Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach is just as much fun as the two earlier installments). One of the great joys of my work is keeping on top of such things as new Scaredy books, but another is discovering books that are not exactly mainstream. My recent trip to the Bologna International Children’s Book Fair (a spectacular annual trade show showcasing thousands of children’s books from dozens of countries) reminded me that for every book that becomes widely known, thousands more remain obscure.
This month’s selections are all just a little unusual—picture books that you may not have stumbled across in your travels through the world of children’s books.

Four Feet, Two Sandals
by Karen Lynn Williams and Khadra Mohammed
Illustrated by Doug Chayka
Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2007

Lina and Feroza meet in a refugee camp in Pakistan after each picks up a single sandal dropped off by relief workers. Rather than try to make do with one sandal each, the girls decide to share the pair of shoes, sometimes by alternating days, sometimes by each wearing one. The girls soon become friends and learn each other’s stories: how Lina’s father and sister were killed in the war and how Feroza has only her grandmother left. When the day comes that Lina and her mother discover their names are on the list of refugees who will make the long journey to America, the two girls realize they will be separated. At first, Feroza gives her sandal to Lina (her friend will need a complete pair in America), and then Lina gives the complete pair back to Feroza (Lina’s mother has saved her sewing money in order to purchase a pair of sturdy shoes for the journey). At the last minute, Feroza gives one sandal back to Lina saying, “It is good to remember... Four feet, two sandals.”

The text is uncomplicated and unsentimental, yet conveys something of the refugee camp experience. The painterly illustrations by Doug Chayka capture the stark, hot environment of the camp and, without being heavy-handed, reveal additional details about camp life. Suitable for the older picture book audience (ages 7+), Four Feet, Two Sandals is, above all, a story of hope, compassion and friendship.

One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference
By Katie Smith Milway
Illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes
Kids Can Press, 2008

Microlending is not at the top of my list of likely subjects for picture books. At least, it wasn’t until I came across Katie Smith Milway’s, One Hen. Milway tells the story of Kojo, a boy who lives in a village in Ghana in West Africa. Though none of the villagers has very much money, together they decide to save a little and then loan the total amount to one family at a time so that family can use the modest loan to better their lives. When Kojo’s mother borrows from the communal pot, she purchases a cart so she can carry more firewood to a nearby market. With the few coins left over, Kojo purchases a single hen. Kojo carefully collects the eggs the hen lays and with the small profit he makes selling them at the market, he eventually earns enough to buy another hen. Egg by egg and hen by hen, Kojo builds his business and saves enough money to be able to go to school. As an adult, he starts his own chicken farm, which becomes a large enough business to employ several families and contribute taxes that, in turn, help improve his community.

Warm, playful illustrations by Eugenie Fernandes provide lots of information about village life and convey a sense of bright optimism that complement the message in the text.

The book also includes the true story of Kwabena Darko from Ghana, a man who was born to poor parents and eventually became a successful chicken farmer. Kwabena Darko went on to start Sinapi Aba Trust, an organization that gives out small loans to Ghanians to help with small businesses. Some information about how to support the microloan movement and a few additional anecdotes about how helpful small loans can be help put Kojo’s story into a broader context. The website (www.onehen.org) provides additional information, activities, and links to microloan organizations.

When Max Became a Mom &
Isabelle’s Sheepdog
Written and Illustrated by Tracey Kuffner
Woolmine Publishing

Tracey Kuffner lives on a farm in southern Alberta where she and her husband raise sheep (and a handful of llamas). She has been making felt for many years and runs a store called The Wool Mine. It is hardly surprising that when Kuffner decided to write children’s books her stories not only had something to do with sheep and farms, but the illustrations were created by painting with wool. Both stories involve raising lambs by hand and the special bond that develops between a child and his or her woolly companion. It is the unique felted illustrations, though, that catch the eye and make these books truly unusual. For more information about Ms. Kuffner, her books and workshops, visit www.woolmine.com.

Nikki Tate is an author who lives on Vancouver Island. Kids who like to write should visit Nikki’s website at www.tarragonisland.com or www.stablemates.net.