Sunday, September 21, 2014

BOOK REVIEW: My Name is Blessing by Eric Walters, Illustrated by: Eugenie Fernandes





‘What’s in a name?’ you may ask.  Names are important.  Some of us feel good about our names, some don’t and wish we had a different or better one.  And that is the theme of the story.

Muthini has the love of his grandmother or Nyanya, who struggles to take of him and his cousins all by herself.  But there are two things that make Muthini’s life difficult – his disability, and his name, Muthini, which means suffering.

Unable to bear the responsibility of nine grandchildren, Nyanya decides that the youngest of them all, Muthini, deserves a better life.  She takes Muthini to a children’s home with the hope of a better life for him there.  Unfortunately, Muthini is rejected by the owner of the children’s home.  Is it because of his disability?  Is it because of his name?  What will happen next?

Based on a real story, this book’s vivid illustrations transport us to Kenya while the text gives us a feel for Nyanya’s tough life with a big family to care for.

This book would be helpful for children to learn about life in different countries.  It also conveys the message that true beauty comes from what's inside, not just what is visible.

Appropriate for ages 4-8.




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