It's always a wonderful thing to see children helping parents out, but it's even more heartwarming to witness an expression of love between siblings.
If you recently had a second child, or have more than one child under the age of 5, you'll love the books I'm going to tell you about today. My children are older now, but I wish I had been familiar with these picture books when they were younger.
In Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen's Elizabeti's Doll, a new baby is born. How will his older sister, Elizabeti, react? While her mother is busy, she finds a very clever way to keep herself occupied. She finds a large rock, and hugs it like a baby. While Mama takes care of her brother, Elizabeti does the same with her rock doll. You can just feel the love she has for her real brother and her pretend baby.
Since this book takes place in Tanzania, there is a cultural aspect to this book which adds to its beauty. I love how this book shows, not tells, how it's always a transition when a new baby is born, no matter who you are, or where you live. The author has found a subtle way to introduce young children to cultural differences, while keeping the main focus on our similarities.
You'll find that the sequel, Mama Elizabeti, is just as touching as the first. This time, Elizabeti and her brother are about a year older, and now have a new baby sister. While Mama takes care of Flora, Elizabeti watches her brother, Obedi.
Once again, the author shows, not tells, us what family life is like in Tanzania. Elizabeti has a hard time doing her chores with Obedi on her back! When she puts him down for a moment and he disappears, you can see how much love she really has for him. Things turn out fine, though, and we learn that Elizabeti certainly has not forgotten about her rock doll...
Inspired by a little girl she met in Tanzania while in the Peace Corps, Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen has created an authentic character in Elizabeti that we all should admire and learn from.
I hope you enjoy these beautiful books.
You can find more books relating to Tanzania at these posts:
