NELDA LATEEF

The Talking Baobab Tree Honors and Awards:

-KIRKUS REVIEWS’ BEST BOOKS OF 2020

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/nelda-lateef/the-talking-baobab-tree/

-2021 STORYTELLING WORLD AWARDS WINNER (YOUNG LISTENERS)

http://storytellingworld.com/2021/

-2021 CHILDREN’S AFRICANA BOOK AWARDS (CABA) HONOR BOOK

-2021 AFRICA ACCESS BOOK REVIEW (5 STARS!)

http://africaaccessreview.org/2021/01/the-talking-babobab/

-2020 STARRED KIRKUS REVIEW

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/nelda-lateef/the-talking-baobab-tree/

Review by athurst123: 10 December 2020

Tales of kindness, friendship, wisdom, and honor are commonly seen in children's books. In her book, The Talking Baobab Tree, Nelda LaTeef illustrates a friendship like no other between an honorable rabbit and a wise baobab tree. Like every story, there is a villain. In this case, a hyena tries to break a bond and reveal a secret out of selfishness. This story shows what it takes to be a true, honorable friend, even when faced with adversity.

The illustrations throughout the book were marvelous and helped capture the story being told. I enjoyed learning more about what a baobab tree is used for before even reading the book. This story is also a great way to teach children about another culture. I loved everything about this book!

The editing team for this book did a wonderful job. The book was well-written, entertaining, and a book I, as an adult, would enjoy reading again. I do not have children, but I know many parents who would love to read an educational story with a beautiful message about friendship and honor.

I am going to rate this book a 4 out of 4. The writing, the illustrations, and the editing were brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and taking the time to look at the illustrations on each page before moving on. The art style is unique and captures the culture in the story very well.

As far as recommendations go, I would highly encourage parents to read this book to their young children. Kids would love the pictures, and the story is one the whole family can love. Teachers could also consider purchasing this book for their elementary-aged students. It could be a wonderful teaching tool for that age group!

Review by Jtjh: 24 December 2020

TheTalking Baobab Tree by Nelda LaTeef is a unique and charming folk tale about keeping your word. The folk tale itself is a wondrous blend of whimsical fairytale and cemented Senegal history spun for adults and children alike to understand and appreciate the wisdom.

The book as a whole is positive; as it ventures to take once orally conveyed traditions, history, and treasured lessons to a new and expansive audience. Children especially will learn a great deal of character building traits; as well as, an almost forgotten past and history with ease.

Review by amahstone: 6 December 2020

The Talking Baobab Tree by Nelda LaTeef is an exciting fable with a great message and beautiful imagery. The story follows the rabbit Johari as she gets lost in the desert. She soon comes upon a large baobab tree and falls asleep under its shade. When she wakes up, the baobab tree startles her by talking. Having never met a talking tree before, she is stunned but quickly feels at ease. The baobab offers her fruit and teaches her about his trunk, which holds treasures left behind by travelers.

He allows her to pick one and she then makes her way back home. However, a formidable opponent awaits. Her neighbor, a hyena, notices her new treasure and wants to know where she found it. She refuses to tell the hyena, so he buries her in her burrow until she does. Will the hyena succeed in stealing the baobab tree’s treasure?

LaTeef opens with a brief lesson on the baobab tree and the Wolof people from whom she first heard the story that inspired this book. We are introduced to two Wolof words, Oubi (open) and Jerry-jef (thank you), which have special importance at the end of the story. The culture and history are very interesting, and I learned quite a bit about the baobab tree and its history in just the short blurb that she included at the beginning.

LaTeef truly has a gift for writing and illustrating. The pictures are stunning and help to create a very unique story. Simple but compelling prose makes this a great book for children starting to become independent readers or for reading aloud to younger children. I am looking forward to seeing what LaTeef writes about next.

Review by VernaVi: 20 Dec 2020

The Talking Baobab Tree by Nelda LaTeef is a children's story about a rabbit named Johari. When she gets lost in the desert, she makes an unexpected friend in the form of a talking baobab tree. The tree saves Johari's life by offering her some of her leaves and fruit. Johari compares the baobab tree to the Tree of Life and finds out that the baobab tree is called the Tree of Life by many.

The baobab tree gives Johari a gift by allowing her to know the passwords to go in and out of the tree trunk and see the hidden treasures left behind by others who had not come back for them. After being given a beautiful necklace, Johari leaves. It isn't long before someone notices her new necklace and wants to know where she found it. Her neighbor, the hyena, cannot be trusted. Will Johari tell the secrets of the baobab tree? To find out, you must read the book!

This book is written in a sweet, straightforward writing style that lends itself to children's ears well. I can imagine this book being read aloud to kids. The setting of the animal kingdom is a fantastic place to take children into a storytelling world.

The concepts of friendship, helpfulness, and those of danger and treachery, are essential to the lessons that this book has to offer. The way the author brought the insight of the baobab tree into the narrative is masterful and is what I liked most about this work.

The character development is exceptional in this story. I appreciated the depth of the personality that comes through in this writing. The way the baobab tree cares for the little rabbit is commendable and makes the reader like the tree right away.

The illustrations are bright, colorful, and perfectly illustrate the African desert, where this story is set. Children will love going through this work to look at the pictures. The vivid painting and drawing provide an excellent backdrop for this tale.

It is a story with lessons and teachings about what to expect from others and how to treat others. The theme of nature that runs through the book makes this a pleasant read all the way through. It will appeal to young and old alike. I can't think of anyone who would not like this book. For these reasons, I am rating this book 4 out of 4 stars.

Review by Mikai_HY:  14 December 2020

The Talking Baobab Tree by Nelda Lateef is a book essentially teaching children the importance of respecting nature and the gifts it gives using the baobab tree as an example. The story also warns what happens when one becomes too greedy as shown with the hyena. In the story the baobab tree offers a lost rabbit the necessities and words of wisdom which eventually helps the rabbit deal with a hungry/greedy neighbor later in the story.

Every page of the book is filled with colorful enough illustrations to keep the reader engaged which is helpful for those who have not seen the subjects in the story such as the baobab tree, desert, or a hyena. The illustrations of the baobab’s hidden treasures are as vibrant and colorful as gems. The author’s notes, before the story begins, is helpful background information for those who are not familiar with the tree, culture, or the region. The story subtly shows readers one can stand up to someone or something much ‘bigger’ than oneself in that the meek, weak, smaller rabbit can best the bigger, stronger hyena.

The only complaint I have about this book would be the orientation of the text in some of the pages which might not be a problem for those who have a physical copy of the book, but for those who read on a screen they will have some trouble.

I would give this book a four out of four star rating. The story was easy to read, minus the orientation of some of the pages, and understand with no errors. The illustrations range from simple to detailed; the main subjects are more detailed than the background images. The story has multiple lessons embedded and also gives a small vibe of the Arabian Nights with the use of the Wolof words as the ‘magic words’ to open and close the trunk of the baobab tree.

The book is good for children or for those who are learning English as a second language, considering there are illustrations to match with the words, or anyone who enjoys picture books.

Review by Chikari: 7 December 2020

Talking Baobab Tree by Nelda LaTeef was a great read. It was also illustrated by the author, which I find to be extremely impressive! This is a children's book that was published this year (2020). It includes an author's note at the beginning that explains the importance of the baobab tree to Senegal.

The story itself is about a rabbit named Johari. She is lost in the desert and is helped by a baobab tree. And it just so happens that this tree can talk! The baobab tree and Johari have a nice conversation which highlights the way the Senegal people see the baobab tree. After parting ways with the tree, Johari has some challenges to face.

This story is excellently told and does a great job bringing life to the characters. I like most how different sayings and advice are sprinkled throughout the story. These wise adages make it clear the lessons you ought to learn from reading this book. It stresses the importance of wisdom, truth, and keeping your word.

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Review by megan25006:  8 December 2020

The Talking Baobab Tree is a children's book about a rabbit named Johari, a baobab tree and a hyena. This story begins with Johari having traveled too far from her home and lost in the desert. Just as fatigue, hunger and thirst start to overwhelm Johari she finds the strength to climb one more towering mountain of sand and sees the baobab tree. Exhausted she tumbles down the mountain of sand towards the tree and is startled when the tree speaks to her. This tree gives life to many species in the barren desert and Johari is no exception. The tree provides her with not only food and shade, but also kindness and a gift before sending Johari home with a warning to never seek the tree out again. When Johari returns home she is ambushed by her nosy neighbor the hyena who traps Johari in her home to extort information regarding Johari’s new necklace. Again, plagued by thirst and hunger, Johari eventually gives in and begrudgingly agrees to show the hyena where the generous baobab tree resides. But, Johari does not tell the hyena everything about the tree.

I rate The Talking Baobab Tree by Nelda LaTeef 3 out of 4 stars. I highly suggest reading this story not only for the heartwarming tale, but also for the life lessons woven into the storyline. The author did a wonderful job of integrating fairly adult concepts such as respect, greed, trust and generosity into an engaging story easily followed by children without watering down the messages at all. The author is also able to expertly expose children to a new environment and culture even including two words from the local language. I wish the author had included the country the desert is part of and the name of the local language in the story. It is present in the author’s note, but most children are unlikely to read the authors note. Had this story included the country it takes place in, the name of the local language and one or two elements of the local culture in the story itself I would have given this story 4 out of 4 stars. I did not feel the book deserved a rating as low as 2 out of 4 stars because the story is well written, engaging and feels professionally edited. The graphics along with the story also add to the reading experience in a very positive manner by helping the characters and setting come to life.

Johari did not want to return to the baobab tree because she respected the tree and was not tempted by the greed displayed by the hyena. The hyena displays other less than desirable traits like manipulation and bullying when forcing Johari to return to the baobab tree. Children are able to see the repercussions of both positive and negative character traits in this story. This will help them decide how to treat those they come in contact with their entire lives.

My favorite element of this book is how resourceful and pure hearted Johari is. My least favorite element of this book the lack of explanation of geography and language. I wish the author had expressly defined the local words the baobab tree uses when speaking to Johari. The definitions of these two words are implied by the trees actions to Johari's dialogue, but children may benefit from an explicit translation written into the story or a glossary at the end of the story.

I believe all children will enjoy this cute and engaging story. I also believe it is a story parents and grandparents will enjoy reading to their children and grandchildren. I feel middle and high school aged children may be bored by this book as it is at the reading level of younger children. This book could also be a good fit for elementary school teachers to use in the classroom to start discussions about life lessons and different cultures.

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Review by rtyson: 24 December 2020

The Talking Baobab Tree, written by Nelda LaTeef, is a story of how Johari, the rabbit, with the help of her wits and her friend, the talking Baobab tree, survives the dangers posed by a hungry hyena. This clever tale demonstrates the importance of wisdom and the hazard of greed.

The book began with a page on the history of the Baobab tree. The story’s plot developed at a steady pace, which made it an easy read. The characters were vibrant, and their choices stood out as good object lessons, similar to fables. There was an overall serious tone to the story, but it had a fun twist at the end, which made it very satisfying. The artwork was good, though not as lively as some children’s books. The rabbit and hyena were small in most pictures, which made them less eye-catching.

I liked the speed of the plot and the interplay between the characters. What I liked most about this book was the charming ending that drives in the moral points. It gave me a little thrill of excitement and left me feeling good about the book. For this reason, I give this book 4 out of 4 stars.

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