Gift Days
Winters, Kari-Lynn, illustrated by Stephen Taylor
Young Nassali longs to learn to read and write like her brother, Baaba. But since her mother’s death, Nassali is responsible for looking after her younger siblings and running the household. There is no time for books and learning. Then one day, she wakes up to discover that her chores have been taken care of. It is her first gift day. From that day on, once a week, Baaba gives Nassali the gift of time so that she can pursue her dream of an education, just as her mother would have wanted.
This book is also raising money for the charity Because I am a Girl, a social movement to “unleash the power of girls and women to claim a brighter future for girls in the developing world” through education and women’s rights; already enough money has been raised to send 10 girls to school in Uganda for a full year (see Brock News, Education prof launches new children’s book, helps a cause).
Read more about this book at Wikipedia.
Reading level: ages 8+
Published Fitzhenry & Whiteside
ISBN-10 1554551927
ISBN-13 9781554551927
Also translated into Korean. Soon to be translated into ten native African languages.
About The Illustrator
Stephen Taylor has illustrated numerous children’s books, including educational publishings over a span of 20 years. He studied at the Ontario College of Art. He is also a fine artist who has showcased his art at Toronto arts festivals, including the Caribana art exhibits at the Royal Ontario Museum. His titles include Rise of the Golden Cobra, Cakewalk, and One More Border: The True Story of One Family’s Escape from War-Torn Europe. Mr. Taylor was born in Dulwich, England and currently resides in Toronto, Canada with his wife and son.
Reviews
Awards
2014: Selected: Storytelling World’s Resource Awards “Best Stories for Young Listeners”
2013: Finalist: BC Book Prize (“Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize“)
2013: Nominated: BC Reader’s Choice Chocolate Lily Award
2013: Gift Days was selected as one of a dozen Canadian books in the new Rainforest of Reading literacy program and competition. See their website, and the press release Canadian-Created Annual Book Festival to Cultivate Literacy in Nine Caribbean Nations.
2013: Recommended: Canadian Toy Testing Council’s Toy Report 2014 Best Books.