Book Review: “Imani’s Moon” by JaNay Brown-Wood
Recommended reading age: 6 to 9 (though kids of all ages can enjoy reading this with their families)
What Makes This One of the Best Children’s Books
Kids who find themselves bullied need not let it define them.
If they ignore their tormentors and focus instead on chasing their goals, they could very well leave those bullies speechless one day.
That’s one of the many uplifting messages readers will discover in JaNay Brown-Wood’s joyous “Imani’s Moon.” This magical book not only celebrates the traditions and culture of the Maasai people of Kenya and Tanzaniya – it also delivers an empowering story that kids of any background can relate to and enjoy.
Living in a small African village, Imani faces a problem many kids worldwide endure: other children tease her relentlessly over her small size.
The girl embarks on a heartening journey to find confidence and disregard her bullies, and all the while, Brown-Wood cleverly interweaves Imani’s story with captivating African folklore.
Imani’s mother soothes her daughter with stories of the moon goddess Olapa and Anansi the spider (both actual stories of the Maasai people), which inspires the girl to pursue her quixotic dream of touching the moon.
Eventually, Imani’s story grows to the mythic proportions of the tales her mother told her, and Imani even turns the tables and regales her mother with descriptions of her own stunning feats.
Of course, Imani’s epic triumph doesn’t occur overnight. She fails often in her quest, much to the delight of the children who pelt her with insults.
But, inspired by the powerful characters in her mother’s stories, and by the fiery Maasai warriors who perform the acrobatic jumping ritual, Imani learns to rise above the naysayers and embrace her strength.
In doing so, she earns her bullies’ respect.
This story can benefit young readers in numerous ways, especially in exposing them to a new culture. Beyond the storyline’s focus on the Maasai people, Hazel Mitchell’s vibrant illustrations serve as an educational tool in themselves, offering glimpses of life in Imani’s village.
On top of that, this book can also inspire kids with Imani’s example.
I can envision many children imagining themselves in Imani’s place, gleefully ignoring bullies and achieving greatness. And that certainly makes this a worthwhile read.
How My Child Reacted to This Book
My son, a preschooler, delighted in this book’s playful nature of mixing reality with myth, from Imani conversing with snakes and chimps to her determined leaping toward the moon.
My son and I also enjoyed pausing at different points in the book to guess what might happen next. Because the story features so many magical elements, it felt like anything could happen.
When our theories proved close, that made the surprises even more fun.
Potential Conversations to Pair with This Book
“Imani’s Moon” offers many topics for valuable conversations.
I used the book as a chance for my son and I to learn more about Africa – we found Kenya and Tanzania on the globe, and we reviewed the author’s note about her research of the Maasai tribe, which gives readers a better understanding of their culture.
This book also provides solid ground for raising the topic of bullying. It gives families a chance to speak with their kids about whether they’ve experienced bullying (or initiated it), and how to address these issues – for instance, rising above it, like Imani.
More Children’s Books Like This
‘The Smart Cookie’ – A Sweet Story of Building Confidence at School
‘Hattie Harmony: Worry Detective’ – A Cheerful Cat Teaches Kids to Manage Anxiety