Jambo Means Hello: Swahili Alphabet Book (Picture Puffin Books)

by Muriel Feelings

Other authorsTom Feelings (Illustrator)
Paperback, 1992

Status

Available

Publication

Puffin Books (1992), Edition: Illustrated, 56 pages

Description

Presents a word, with English translation, for each of the twenty-four letters in the Swahili alphabet. Brief explanation of each word introduces an East African custom.

User reviews

LibraryThing member pacifickle
Jambo Means Hello is an alphabet book that has a Swahili word on each page starting with the corresponding letter. The word will be “baba” for mother, or “jambo” for hello, for instance. Then, there is the English translation of the word, and a short paragraph about the cultural meaning of
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the word. The book is accompanied by detailed black and white pencil drawings illustrating the cultural concept of the word in a typical small village in Africa. The drawings are very realistic and convey a strong sense of family, from the youngest children to the eldest grandparents. The lack of color in the pencil drawings makes the illustrations very realistic, but not as visually interesting. Children would probably prefer a more colorfully-illustrated book for this reason, even though the drawings are very skilled. The target audience for this group would be an early reader or someone learning their ABCs, to learn the different letters of the alphabet as receiving exposure to a different culture.
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LibraryThing member ampitcher
is a cultured book that teaches the Swahili alphabet
LibraryThing member sharese
Summary:
A great ABC book that features another culture. The Swahili language is paired with the english alphabet and some wonderful black and white drawings. Kids will learn the ABCs along with some words from anther language. Very engaging book.

Review:
I loved this book! It was so different from
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other ABC books I've seen and I loved learning new words from another language. Words are simple like Mama and the word for Friend which is rafiki (Rah-fee-key). Pictures are wonderful and show life in a village full of people and animals. Great book.
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LibraryThing member Brooke28
The illustrations are fabulous! It won a Caldecott Honor
LibraryThing member servantHEART
Jambo is an interesting way to mix learning the English alphabet and a new language and/or about a new culture. Jambo introduces a Swahili word for every letter. Each word introduced is a common everyday word in the African culture. (mom, elephant, utensils, donkey, etc.)

I like this book because it
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does not give the usual A is for apple, B is for ball terminology, but gives a great way of learning about other cultures. It is a two-fold lesson without the children realizing the significance of their well spent time.

In the classroom, the students could make their own alphabet book that introduces terminology they use daily within their family.
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LibraryThing member AshleyHerrera
Jambo Means Hello: Swahili Alphabet Book is a book that not only teaches children the alphabet, but also introduces another language.

This book is a very intriguing book, especially for younger children. It teaches the letters of the alphabet in english, but then gives a Swahili word that
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represents the letter. I think its a great way to expose children to a different language and culture. The book is also filled with beautiful illustrations that will also captivate young readers.

I think this book should be used in a pre-k or kindergarten classroom. It would be a great book to read aloud. You could have the children say the letters aloud, as well as the swahili words. Doing this, will allow them to comprehend the meanings better. After, the book can be passed around so that the students can get a better look at the wonderful illustrations.
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LibraryThing member justine.marxer
age app: primary, secondary

Genre: informational

Review: this is a good example of informational because the author gives a word in Swahili for each letter of the English alphabet. The author also gives information about each word in relation to African culture.
LibraryThing member ajterry24
4P

I think this book can be explained by Radical Change Theory. Although it is not a contemporary book, it was radical for it's time (it was published in 1974). Through exposure to the Swahili language and information about African cultures, this book offers new perspectives to English-speaking
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children.
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LibraryThing member jakdomin
The illustrations significantly add to the explanation of this foreign language. It is useful for child to look at the scene to understand the definition of the Swahili word while gaining insight to the African way of life. This book bridges the gap between our world and a world that seems very
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unfamiliar and different.
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LibraryThing member jacale19
This book is all about the alphabet, and it introduces another language to the reader.
LibraryThing member DannieN
In this text, the Swahilian alphabet is explained through words, pictures, and examples from that East African culture. Each page start with a letter in Swahili and also includes something that starts with that alphabet letter. The illustrations on each page represent the cultural example. Students
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will not only learn the alphabet of another language in this text, but also about a whole new culture. The plain and simple black and white illustrations will make it easy for students to focus on what the book is exhaling: the Swahilian alphabet and culture. Some of the examples in the text include, "D is for Dawa is medicine," where the picture shoes herbs being used to make a medicine for sick people, and "J is for Jambo means hello," where someone is shaking hands with someone to say hello.
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LibraryThing member Nicole.Diemer
Jambo Means Hello: Swahili Alphabet Book by Muriel Feelings is an informational alphabet book that introduces Swahili language and culture. Each page has a new Swahili word with its English translation, its pronunciation, and a brief description. The illustrations draw in the reader and show images
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that portray the words.

In a classroom I would read one page a day, introducing one new word, and create discussion around the illustrations. This is a great book that can help students experience a different culture they may not have known before.
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LibraryThing member mstanley33
Jambo means Hello: Swahili Alphabet Book by Muriel Feelings represents the Alphabet from A-Z with Swahilian words, explanations, and pictures. This alphabet book is paired with beautiful black and white illustrations to aid with introduction of each word. For example A is for arusi (ah-roo-see) is
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a wedding. The author describes the significance of the wedding and the illustration show a picture of the arusi. Pronunciations are on each page.

This book would be great to share with young children who are learning the alphabet. This book will help them learn new words but also learn about other cultures. I would use this book with older children as well when learning about other cultures.
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LibraryThing member iceangel456
alphabet book about animals
LibraryThing member kakanihome
Evocative images, done in simple black and white, high quality illustrations and printing. Tells the alphabets of Swahili through words and then explaining the meaning of the word in the cultural context. the images align with the word

Awards

National Book Award (Finalist — 1982)
Caldecott Medal (Honor Book — 1975)
Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (Winner — Picture Book — 1974)

Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

1974

Physical description

56 p.; 10.63 x 8.56 inches

ISBN

0140546529 / 9780140546521
Page: 1.2426 seconds