Title: For You are a Kenyan Child

Author: Kelly Cunnane

Illustrator: Ana Juan

Publisher: Simon & Schuster (2011)

ISBN: 9780857071309

 

Kelly Cunnane describes a young Kenyan boy’s day in his village. His mother gives him the responsibility of looking after his grandfather’s cows. While the cows graze the boy “just for a moment” slips “away to see who else is awake.” Bashir opens the tea shop and hands the boy the first hot chepati of the day. He chases a monkey out of the teahouse towards a little wood shop where he greets the village chief, “Jambo, Mzee!” 

The chief lets the proud boy carry the chief stick. By the time he visits his grandmother for some milk, he has forgotten about the herd. He then passes a neighbour who offers him a sweet insect to eat and plays rag ball with a friend. When he finally returns to the cows, they have gone. He is embarrassed and relieved to discover his grandfather has come to the rescue, bringing the cows home.