Papa, Do You Love Me?

May 16, 2005
Featuring a dramatically different setting from the collaborators'Mama, Do You Love Me?
, which centers on an Alaskan Inuit mother and daughter, this warmhearted companion introduces a Maasai boy and his father on the Serengeti. Like the young protagonist of the earlier book, this curious child verbally tests the limits of his parent's love, which is—words and art convincingly reinforce—boundless. Addressing his child as Tender Heart, the father incorporates references to Maasai culture as he answers his son: "I love you more than the warrior loves to leap, more than the bush baby loves the moon, more than the elder loves his stories." Local terms (explained in a glossary) come into play as the lad's questions become more specific. What if, as herd boy, one night he overate and fell asleep and hyenas crept in and stole his birthright cow? The father's articulate responses reassure the child that he will always be there to help his son—and to teach him. Echoing the soothing rhythm of the poetic narrative, Lavallee's graceful watercolors feature a harmoniously balanced palette, setting the bold hues and patterns of traditional Maasai clothing against the variegated blues of the sky, the pale tones of the plain and the natural markings of African animals. This vividly depicted setting underscores the universality of the book's message. Ages 4-8.

August 1, 2005
PreS-Gr 2 -This title follows the format of Joosse's "Mama, Do You Love Me?" (Chronicle, 1991). In "Papa", a Maasai father reassures his young son that his love is unconditional and endless. In answer to his son's questions, he explains that he will always protect the boy from the dangers of the Serengeti Plain and teaches him how to find water in their harsh environment. A glossary elaborates on the concepts introduced, such as the importance of cattle in Maasai life, medicinal uses of the Greenheart tree, and the role of the herd boy. The bright, stylized watercolors reflect the warm hues of the Serengeti. Details are clearly rendered, allowing children to visualize life in a culture different from their own. The father's red robe sweeps across much of the book, wrapping his small son in its protective embrace. Parents will snatch up this tender, reassuring book for bedtime read-alouds. Teachers of early elementary students may wish to use it as an introduction to the life of the Maasai." -Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR"

Copyright 2005 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2005
PreS-Gr. 2. The creators of the wildly popular " Mama, Do You Love Me "1991), featuring an Inuit mother and daughter, focus on another indigenous culture to tell a simple tale of parental love. This time, the characters are a Masai father and son. While herding cattle, a boy tests his father's affection with a question game that fans of " Mama "will recognize: "Papa, do you love me? . . . How much? . . . How long?" Each time, Papa answers with reassuring words that reference Masai life: "I love you more than the warrior loves to leap." Lavallee's delicately shaded watercolors in brilliant reds and sunlit golds extend the story' warm sentiments, and children will enjoy spotting the many animals in the pictures. An annotated glossary offers more information about the Masai's traditional culture. Few picture books star African fathers and sons, and this one, like " Mama," will probably draw a large, devoted following for its strong message of unconditional love. For more books about fathers and sons, see the Read-alikes, "A Day with Dad," in the June 2005 issue.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)