Mpumi stars in a second heartwarming picture book alongside Jabu, a young boy who is deaf. Written in rhyme by Lebohang Masango and Claudine Storbeck, Professor at the Centre for Deaf Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand, this title draws attention to the importance of communication, friendship and acceptance. And, as in Mpumi’s Magic Beads, there’s a touch of magic in the air, too!
When Mpumi spots Jabu behind a tree, hesitant to join the other children in the playground, she calls out to him. Momentary confusion ensues on both sides when it becomes evident that Jabu has not heard her. The young pair partially resolve the situation with smiles and waves, then sit down and laugh together. Mpumi soon learns that Jabu, who wears noticeable hearing aids in both ears, communicates by sign language. She asks him to teach her.
It is the start of a beautiful friendship that sees the two children play together in the park and introduce each another to their circles of friends. (There’s some flying above the city involved here, too!) The story also provides a simple, positive introduction to sign language to young readers.
My new friend taught me how to talk with my hands. He’s wonderful and so clever.
I particularly like the call to action to readers by Mpumi, Jabu and friends at the end of the story, inviting readers to sign. The South African Sign Language alphabet is featured in the end pages, making it easy for everyone to have a go at signing their name.---from Global Literature in Libraries Initiative https://glli-us.org/
32 pages 9781485630258 Ages 5-8
Keywords: friends, friendship, being different, hearing aids, deafness, diversity, diverse books, getting along, new experiences, rhyme, Africa, social skills, sign language, 5 year old, 6 year old, 7 year old, 8 year old, magic
