All Things Kenyan

Welcome To Kenya

Title: Welcome to Kenya
Author: Roseline Ngcheong-Lum and Victoria Derr
Publishing Company: Gareth Stevens, Inc.
Number of Pages: 48
Reading Level: Grade 2/age 7+
Original Publishing Date: 2000

Summary:
This is a textbook intended for children in grade 2.  There are simple discussions of history, government, economy, people, lifestyles, language, arts, leisure, food along with a map, facts, and a glossary.

What I Liked:
This publishing company always has great pictures in their books and this one is no exception.  There are pictures of people working in a tea field, crafting, landscapes, animals, and students studying.  Lots of nice pictures of everyday life in Kenya.  The discussions are fairly simple and geared toward a second grader.

What I Didn’t Like:
The book mentions circumcision which is a fairly important ritual in Kenya, but isn’t necessary for a second grader to know about.  In the glossary, the definition for circumcision is the removal of parts of certain sexual organs in males or females. Not exactly appropriate material for a seven to eight year old.

A review copy of Welcome to Kenya was sent by the publisher free of charge.