All About Ama. Kathy Knowles. Winnipeg, MB: OSU Children's Library Fund (188 Montrose St., R3M 3M7 or www.osuchildrenslibraryfund.ca), 2008. 20 pp., hardcover, $10.00. ISBN 978-0-9809437-4-0. Preschool / Ages 2-4. Review by Dave Jenkinson. ***½ /4

excerpt:

My name is Ama.

I have one head.

I have one nose.

I have two eyes.

Illustrated with colour photos, this short, simple concept book, though developed by Kathy Knowles for an African readership, should also have a North American market as nothing in the photos, including the background, situates the book geographically. The concept with which the book deals is that of the body's principal parts, including the number of each. The book's narrator, Ama, who is a very cute little girl, begins at her head and simply works her way down to her two feet, before pointing out, almost as an afterthought, "I have LOTS of hair." My sole criticism is that, while two elbows are noted, Ama moves from her waist, to her legs and then to her feet while ignoring her knees, body parts she will likely skin and bruise many times as she grows up. Had Knowles elected to produce a 32 page book, she could have gone into further detail such as teeth, fingers and toes. Nonetheless, All About Ama, with its tight, brief text, is still a fine book for parents to use with their youngsters as they learn the names of body parts. Just 18 cm high by 16 cm wide, the book is also the perfect size for young hands to hold.

     Royalties from the sales of All About Ama go to support the work of the OSU Children's Library Fund which is bringing books and libraries to African children. For more information about this nonprofit group, see its website: www.osuchildrenslibraryfund.ca.

     An excellent home purchase for toddlers, All About Ama deserves a place in all libraries serving preschoolers.

Highly Recommended.

Dave Jenkinson, CM's editor, lives in Winnipeg, MB.

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