WEEK’S END: 14 Cows…. “You know, big needs little.”
August 7th, 2009
Jambo! On August 1 a book was released that has a fascinating and inspiring story to share with all of us, both in its production start to finish as well as within its exquisite pages. 14 Cows for America is the story of the Maasai tribe in Kenya learning about 9/11 from a young fellow warrior, Kimeli Naiyomah who was studying at Stanford but on business in New York City on 9/11; following Kimeli’s telling of the story his fellow warriors wanted to do something to help “heal the holes burned in hearts” in America. The story of the book has been shared far and wide this week from a Wall Street Journal book review to a blog tour.
Written by renowned Cuban born storyteller Carmen Agra Deedy and illustrated by Cuban artist Thomas Gonzalez with consultation by Kimeli, this will be a book that parents and teachers can use for years to come to help children learn about 9/11 and the concept of Ubuntu which has been described as “humaneness – a philosophy of life that emphasizes showing empathy for fellow humans. This concept is generally demonstrated in African customs through actions of compassion. Explore ways to promote Ubuntu through your own acts of compassion.”
Kimeli who has finished his master’s in molecular biology at Stanford University has been awarded a Rotary International World Peace Fellowship and will begin his studies in peace and conflict resolution in 2010. Kimeli along with author Deedy will be guests at the National Book Festival on the Mall in Washington, D.C., September 26.
So why the headline of this posting “You know, big needs little”? There are many poignant vignettes regarding this book but one that has stood out for me in the coverage this week is the story of Deedy searching for the precise “message for children” to come from this book. During a fourth grade classroom visit where Deedy shared a first draft of 14 Cows a young girl raised her hand and said, “It’s like that Aesop’s fable about the mouse and the lion. You know, big needs little,” and Deedy knew she had found her message.
UPDATE: See Fuse 8 blog entry of September 7, 2009 for more resources available for use by parents and teachers in sharing this book with children.
Happy reading!
Carol
Filed under: Week's End
4 Comments Add your own
1. Donna | August 23rd, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Thank you for showing us this wonderful book. Our RIF theme this year is reading around the world. This is perfect for us & I have ordered a copy to share with our school.
Also, our school is on a military base. Each year on September 11, I ask staff to gather out front for ‘positive picketing’ as we say thank you to our soldiers and their families. When they first arrive at school that morning, they are puzzled, but when they read our signs, their faces break out into wonderful smiles. This year our picketing will be extra special as our Stryker Brigade is returning from their second deployment to Iraq.
2. Carol Rasco | August 23rd, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Donna, I am so glad to hear from you, what a special treat! I thank you for sharing the “positive picketing” idea for September 11. I am going to make sure the RIF personnel working on President Obama’s UNITED WE SERVE effort that will culminate on September 11 with a day of remembrance and service know about this terrific idea! And yes, it will be extra special for you all this year.
Be sure as you are planning your year of reading around the world you remember the RIF Multicultural Campaign page on the web (http://www.rif.org/multicultural_campaign.mspx).
Keep us posted on your plans and share them on the Ambassadors site as well.
Thanks again for sharing with me.
Carol
3. Edi | August 30th, 2009 at 9:26 am
I too, enjoyed this book. I amazed it isn’t being reviewed all over the ‘net for both the text and art. I am creating a lesson plan for this book to develop in my media center on 9/11. I want the students in my school (high poverty, low performing) to realize the value of their gifts and how much they have to share. Indeed, big needs little!
4. Carol Rasco | August 31st, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Thank you for dropping by Rasco from RIF, Edi! I am excited about this book and think it will begin to “catch on” this year and we will see it used more in the coming years. RIF plans to promote the book heavily to our programs for the 9/11 day of service and remembrance this year. My best to you and your students as you work to observe this day.
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