Review of Animal Village

[Lauryn Brown]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Animal Village" by Nelda LaTeef.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Animal Village, by Nelda LaTeef, is based on the rich culture of African griots who bestow the ancestral knowledge from old stories upon the later generations. It highlights the ability to take knowledge from those more senior and often wiser to help out. The book focuses on a group of animals suffering through a drought. It resolved around Timba, who, with her knowledge, looked to save the other animals. How will the group of animals heed this advice?

According to the author, she wrote this book to teach those young and old about the need for appreciation of knowledge and its application. I appreciate how she took the time to write about the African landscape's distinctive characteristics regarding its diverse population and many cultures. It was a great read to inform us that we can often be taught valuable skills from even old stories and see the importance of received knowledge within a problem.

This publication was pleasant and enjoyable. It appears to be a book about a group of animals in a sticky situation on the surface. However, the author develops a mindset that often is found in cultures today. The scenarios were portrayed with unique illustrations based on acrylic, Indian ink, and collage, giving the artistry a pronounced feel.

I have not found any negative features in this book. The illustration and portrayal of the concepts were perfect. There were also no errors. I can say that this book was highly well-edited. The author was very thoughtful in leaving an Author's Note explaining the inspiration for her story, thus embracing the setting even further.

I will rate this book 4 out of 4 stars because the author did a great job teaching a life lesson within this children's book. The book will most appeal to children, especially those of very diverse societies with rich histories to be learned.

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Animal Village
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