Malaika's Winter Carnival

September 1, 2017

PreS-Gr 2-Malaika is back and she is in for a change of scenery. In this follow-up to Malaika's Costume, the girl is transported from her Caribbean community to Quebec when her mother meets and marries Mr. Frederic. Mr. Frederic is French Canadian, with "different talk" than Malaika is accustomed to and he comes with a daughter named Adele. Malaika must adjust to many changes in Quebec, the biggest being loneliness for her family and culture. "When I get there, the children speak a different way. The teacher speak a different way. No one understand me. I hate it." The story, written in a blend of English and Caribbean patois, includes vocabulary like breadfruit, chinep, and toque. The words are highlighted in a short glossary at the beginning of the book. The patchwork illustrations create a bright glimpse into Caribbean and city life. VERDICT Good introductory text to highlight the significance of moving, blending cultures and family, and life in a different country.-Megan Egbert, Meridian Library District, ID

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 15, 2017
Malaika is delighted to see her mother again, but after a brief stay in Jamaica, she's taking Malaika to her new home in Canada, along with her new, white French-Canadian husband, Mr. Frederic, and his daughter, Adele.Though her new family is pleasant and welcoming, Malaika's annoyed with the cold, the layers of puffy clothes she has to wear, the new language she has to learn, and--the last straw--when the family goes to a carnival, there are no bright, beautiful costumes as at Carnival at home (the subject of Malaika's Costume, 2016). Malaika kicks over Adele's snow castle out of frustration. The next day, Malaika and her grandmother have a video chat, which lifts her spirts and reminds her of friends and family, and she decides to give this new home a chance. She starts with an apology to Adele, who embraces her new sister and teachers her to catch the newly falling snowflakes on her tongue. As in the previous book, Hohn uses Malaika's lovely patois to tell the story, which teaches Caribbean and French terms as well as focusing on the primary story of coping with a new country and a blended family. Luxbacher's mixed-media collages are wonderful, vibrant, and expressive, and both the cover and final pages tell the happy ending without a word. Hohn contrasts Jamaican and Canadian cultures tenderly, with deep understanding of both, and she and Luxbacher have created a sweet, immersive and loving book that will benefit both young new arrivals to a country and those just meeting them. (Picture book. 3-7)

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