Product Description

On market day, Mama Panya's son Adika invites everyone he sees to a pancake dinner. How will Mama Panya ever feed them all? This clever and heartwarming story about Kenyan village life teaches the importance of sharing, even when you have little to give.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1907 in Books
• Published on: 2006-02-20
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 40 pages

Review
'This is a clever and heartwarming Kenyan story about the rewards of friendship and the joy of sharing.' --Child Education, top 50 books of 2005

'Mama Panya's Pancakes is a charming village tale... the story ends happily with each guest bringing along a contribution - a message which reminds us that kindness is rewarded.' --Nursery Education

'Friendship brings its own reward in this beautifully illustrated and gentle tale of Kenyan village life.' --Willesden Bookshop

About the Author
Mary and Rich Chamberlin are a husband-and-wife writing team. They love to travel and have done so extensively, including trips to Kenya and Tanzania, where they contracted 'Mal Afrique', the strong desire to return to that great continent. They are longtime members of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and co-founders of several local writers' groups. When they aren't busy writing, Mary works as a freelance Television Producer and Director, and Rich as an engineer. Mary and Rich live in Naperville, Illinois, where they share their home with their dog Trisha, and their French-Lop rabbit Bean. You can visit their website at www.mamapanya.com. Julia Cairns began her career as a fine artist in Botswana, Africa, where she lived for nine years. Though she now resides in the United States, Julia continues to be inspired by the joyful and hopeful spirit that she found in the people of Botswana. Julia's artwork has been praised for its contrasts and colours. She has illustrated four books for children, including Off to the Sweet Shores of Africa, which was the recipient of an ALA Notable Award, and The Spider Weaver, which was nominated for the NAACP Image Award for Children's Literature. Julia lives in British Columbia, Canada with her husband, two children, two dogs, two horses and three chickens.

Customer Reviews

Good description of rural life in Kenya
This is a beautifully illustrated book with a simple tale of a mother and son going off to market to buy ingredients for pancakes as a special treat. The son invites all their friends as they meet them and it looks like there won't be enough to go around, until everyone arrives with something to add to the party. The central theme is Kenya's national motto - harambee, pulling together - and the rewards of sharing. There's a nicely laid out factual section at the end about everyday life in rural Kenya with a map and even a recipe for pancakes. My 7 year old enjoyed reading this alone and then to me and we both learned new things about Kenya.

Mama Panya's Pancakes
A great book to use with KS 1 & Foundation children. It was used as part of an African Fortnight topic, allowing you to cover many areas of the curriculum with this book. The children particularly enjoyed the food aspect.

A wonderful story
What a truly wonderful story.
This book is has wonderful pictures/beautifully illustrated.
The facts at the back of the book and the pancake receipe are an added bonus
Will be getting a few more for Christmas presents