Although I've had this book for a few months, I waited until now to review it. When possible, I like to share Literary Lunchbox books with kids before writing my posts. My first and second grade students are currently studying Africa and folk tales - The Market Bowl is a perfect fit.Yoyo lives in Cameroon. She spends market days with Mama Cécile selling their homemade bitterleaf stew. Mama Cécile is very patient, methodically chopping, grinding and preparing the stew for market. Young Yoyo is not so patient.
When Yoyo refuses a fair price for a bowl of her hastily prepared bitterleaf stew she brings a curse upon the family's market bowl. She and Mama Cécile can no longer sell a single serving of their delicious soup, so Yoyo sets out to to find Brother Coin, the great spirit of the market, to convince him to restore his blessing upon the market bowl.
The story of Yoyo has that familiar African folktale element of trickery. It's what makes this story a delightful addition to our classroom collection and it fits comfortably on the bookshelves next to Anansi, Zomo and Jabutí.
My students loved Jim Averbeck's book. It's a delightful story of a headstrong girl and a hungry god. Full of culture, native language or gorgeous art, The Market Bowl is a story to be shared with young children.
Blog you later,
Ali B.
