Bintou's Braids

This book is about an African girl who wants braids just like the others in her community. Her mom tells her that when she is old enough she will receive braids. One day while she is at the beach, she notices two boys about to drown in their canoe. She runs for help and saves their lives. She is

rewarded by having one thing that she wants. She wanted braids. Before putting braids in her hair, her grandmother puts small ribbons with birds. She loves it, and is happy with the birds.

I have never read this book before, and really enjoyed it. I would definately read this to my class, and hope they would enjoy it as well. I felt this was a great multicultrual book because it discusses some of their rituals and importances.

I think that a great extension would be to have each student bring something they received for doing something good. I could also have the students write in their journals about something they have always wanted, but mom and dad said they were too young.

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LibraryThing member mrs.mackey

"Bintou's Braids" is a story about a young girl who just want to have her hair in braids like all of the other older women in her village. Bintou saves the lives of two fishermen who are drowning. As a reward she is told that she will have her hair fixed. Bintou's grandmother fixes her hair up

really nice and puts birds in it. Bintou finally feels as if she is special.

This book was really cute. It was a good example of a girl who longs to be older but isn't. I remember that time in my life and it was a very confusing time.

I would use this book as an example to my students that everyone is different, and everyone is special. I would have my students share with the class times that they felt special. I would stress the importance of being unique.

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LibraryThing member crochetbunnii

Personal Response:
I read this story through my library's subscription to Tumblebooks. I enjoyed how Bintou's story is told through a mix of auto-narration and moving images that focus on different aspects of the illustration while the narration plays. I enjoyed the moving images within a static

background as well.

Curricular Connections:
I would use this story in a story time about online books, using a projector to display the book, or for a story time about Africa or heroes.

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LibraryThing member CarmellaLee

Personal Response: This online book was read very well with an energetic, happy voice.

Curricular or Programming connection: A program dealing with being happy with yourself - self-esteem.

LibraryThing member kapickens

I would highly recommend this beautifully illustrated book. It conveys wonderful messages about bravery, how girls should focus on playing and acting like little girls, and ancestral wisdom is expressed in some West African cultures. Children of all ages with certainly enjoy this book.

LibraryThing member Alice.rivera56

Bintou wants braids. Long, pretty braids, woven with gold coins and seashells, just like her older sister and the other women in her family. But she is too young for braids. Instead, all she has are four little tufts of hair; all she ever gets are cornrows. However, when Bintou saves the lives of

her two young cousins and is offered a reward of her choosing, Bintou discovers that true beauty comes in many different forms. Rich, earthy illustrations and a heartwarming story capture the spirit of a West African village in this wise tale about a girl who learns she's perfect just the way she is.

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LibraryThing member kaitanya64

Bintou wants braids like her big sister, but she is told she is not a "grown up" girl yet. When Bintou saves the lives of two boys in the village, she is given the opportunity to get braids as a reward, but she must decide if she will choose to go against her grandmother's advice. Colorful

illustrations and a story kids will relate to about both wanting and feeling anxious about growing up.

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