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Kenya's Art

Author Linda Trice

Illustrated by Hazel Mitchell

Hardcover

$17.99 US

Charlesbridge

11.37"W x 8.37"H x 0.35"D | 16 oz | 30 per carton

On sale Jan 12, 2016 | 32 Pages | 978-1-57091-848-3

Age 4-8 years | Preschool - 3

Reading Level: Lexile 450L | Fountas & Pinnell K

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Children's > Diversity > Black/African American
Children's > Fiction
Literacy & Education > Literacy > Read-Aloud

Recycle! Reuse! Make Art!

Kenya’s class is on spring vacation and their teacher asked them to write a report about how they spent their time. But vacation is almost over and Kenya hasn't done anything worth noting. A late visit to a museum's recycling exhibit and a walk through her neighborhood with her daddy inspire Kenya to use her old, broken toys and other items to make art with her family. Now she's prepared to teach her whole class how to Recycle! Reuse! Make Art!

This warm and engaging companion to Kenya's Song depicts the enthusiasm and creativity of one young girl in a diverse community who engages wholeheartedly with her friends, her environment, and herself.

Booklist
This third entry in the Kenya series continues the practice of turning drab school assignments into intriguing adventures. This time the students in Mrs. Garcia’s class are asked to report on what they did over spring vacation. Kenya’s mom has asked her to get rid of her old toys, but she hasn’t, nor, she realizes, has she done much of anything over break. Kenya’s father takes her to a museum, where they encounter a nice twist on the Recycle, Reuse, Reduce exhortation in an exhibit called “Recycle! Reuse! Make Art!” The tour guide shows them a quilt, explaining how this is both a beautiful and practical reuse of discarded fabric. Then they see a mobile made out of used bottles recycled into art. Inspired, Kenya repurposes her broken toys into both useful and decorative objects, and she wows the class with her broken-toy sculpture. The bright watercolors amp up the action in this artistic take on sustainability.

School Library Journal Xpress Reviews
Kenya’s class has been given an assignment to complete over the spring vacation. The children need to write a report about what they did over the break. Everyone seems to have done something fun or special while on vacation, except Kenya. She hasn’t taught a puppy a new trick, learned to play an instrument, or even gone to soccer camp. Kenya feels like she won’t have anything interesting to write about. Her father suggests that they go to the museum and learn something new. At the museum, Kenya learns about recycling and reusing items. When she sees an interesting display made out of old plastic bottles and colorful streamers, Kenya becomes inspired to create her own “thingamabob.” This also motivates her family to form their own works of art with old objects from around the house. When Kenya returns to school, not only is she excited to share her information but she is also eager to teach everyone how to make their own thingamabobs. The colorful cartoon illustrations are a combination of digitally overpainted watercolor and graphite. The text and art are earnest and purposeful about recycling, reusing, and making art. VERDICT An additional title for Earth Day and environmental units.

Linda Trice, Ph.D., a former elementary school teacher and Black Studies professor, is the author of many children’s works, including Charles Drew: Pioneer of Blood Plasma, a biography of the African-American surgeon who created blood banks during World War II.

Linda is a full member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, The Authors Guild, and the Children's & Young Adult Book Authors Committee of PEN, the American Center. She is a native of New York City. View titles by Linda Trice

Hazel Mitchell View titles by Hazel Mitchell

“Why are you playing with that old airplane?” Mosi asked.
            “It’s my prize,” Kenya said. “I won it in art class.”
            “That was two years ago,” Mosi said.
            “Kenya, I asked you to get rid of your broken toys,” Mom said.
            “But I won this airplane, Mom,” Kenya replied. “The art teacher said my drawing was the most original.”
            “It only has one wing,” Mom said. “Get rid of all your broken toys, even that airplane. Then ask Daddy to help you with your school project. I’m taking Mosi to her friend’s party.”