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Babu's Song
In Tanzania, Bernardi's mute grandfather makes him a wonderful music box and then helps him realize his dream of owning a soccer ball and going to school.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2003
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139 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 14, 2019
“Babu’s Song” is a realistic fiction picture book set in Tanzania about a boy named Bernardi and his grandfather Babu who is a toy maker. Since Bernardi was not able to go to school because of the high cost, he would sell the toys Babu would make so they had enough money to live on. One day, Bernardi noticed a soccer ball in a store window, but it was too expensive to buy. On Saturday, the day when Bernardi sold toys to tourists, a woman asked to buy Babu’s music box which was not for sale. However, when she offered Bernardi a lot of money, Bernardi gave up Babu’s music box as he realized the money would be enough to buy the soccer ball. What happens next is unexpected. Bernardi would not spend the money but would give Babu the money to pay for Bernardi to attend school. Moreover, Bernardi would get a new soccerball made by Babu.
The book has an uplifting plot that will capture students’ attention. It also introduces students to working poor families that exist around the word and the hardships that the families go through. Moreover, the book provides questions for students to think about. For instance, if the students were in Bernardi’s situation, would they sell or not sell Babu’s music box and buy or not buy the soccer ball Bernardi always dreamed of.
I thought the muted earth toned illustrations went along the story well and gave substance to the story line. In addition, the illustrations were accurate in representing the characters and setting of the story.
Since the story is set in Tanzania, the characters are African except for the Caucasian tourist who bought the music box. Moreover, economic diversity existed among the characters in the book which the first page of the book illustrates as Bernardi is playing soccer with a group of boys. Since Bernardi comes from a working poor family, he is shown wearing loose clothes with no shoes whereas the rest of the boys have crisp uniforms with shoes on their feet.
The book has an uplifting plot that will capture students’ attention. It also introduces students to working poor families that exist around the word and the hardships that the families go through. Moreover, the book provides questions for students to think about. For instance, if the students were in Bernardi’s situation, would they sell or not sell Babu’s music box and buy or not buy the soccer ball Bernardi always dreamed of.
I thought the muted earth toned illustrations went along the story well and gave substance to the story line. In addition, the illustrations were accurate in representing the characters and setting of the story.
Since the story is set in Tanzania, the characters are African except for the Caucasian tourist who bought the music box. Moreover, economic diversity existed among the characters in the book which the first page of the book illustrates as Bernardi is playing soccer with a group of boys. Since Bernardi comes from a working poor family, he is shown wearing loose clothes with no shoes whereas the rest of the boys have crisp uniforms with shoes on their feet.
May 26, 2022
What a beautiful story about appreciating what you have! All Bernardi wants is to go to school so he can learn and play soccer, but he lives with his mute Grandfather (Babu) who cannot afford to send him. Instead, he helps sell the toys Babu makes out of recycled materials. One day Bernardi makes a big sale and runs to purchase a shiny soccer ball for himself. But overcome with guilt, he runs home to confess to Babu that he selfishly almost spent Babu's money. Babu smiles and decides to use the money to pay the school fees, and he makes a soccer ball out of recycled materials for the boy.
July 12, 2013
I thought that this was a wonderfully heart warming story for children. This is the story of a boy and his grandfather in what I am thinking is a town in Africa, but the setting is never verified. The grandfather is a mute toy maker who cares of his grandson. The two lead a very simple life in a simple little town. In the story Babu makes his grandson, Bernardi, a small music box that plays a tune that he use to sing to the young boy. One day when the boy is selling the toys to make money for them to live off of, a lady offers the boy a large sum of money for the music box. Bernardi takes the money so that he can buy a brand new soccer ball that he wanted. Later, he tells his grandfather of his mistake and gives him the money. In the end the grandfather is not mad and uses the money to get Bernardi into school.
I think that the best element of craft used in this story is the story itself. Fletcher calls this a significant subject. While the story is very, very simple it still holds all the features of a great well written story. The characters are very simple human beings. Children can relate to Bernardi's actions and adults can relate to Babu's actions. The two of them live a simple life where they do the best that they can. However, by the end of the story readers know just how much the two care about and for one another. Also children (and adult) readers can learn that we all make mistakes or do things that we regret, but at the end of the day all be forgivable when we are with people that we love. In this story children can learn these lessons without any traumatic consequences in the ending as well. Yes, mistakes will be made, but life will go on and we wont make the same mistakes again. These are all very valuable lessons for children and they are taught in such a simple and sweet form. When reading this book to children I can teach them that the subject does not always have to be so fantastical that the writing loses its purpose. Sometimes the best stories are the simplest ones like one about a grandpa, a boy, and a music box.
I think that the best element of craft used in this story is the story itself. Fletcher calls this a significant subject. While the story is very, very simple it still holds all the features of a great well written story. The characters are very simple human beings. Children can relate to Bernardi's actions and adults can relate to Babu's actions. The two of them live a simple life where they do the best that they can. However, by the end of the story readers know just how much the two care about and for one another. Also children (and adult) readers can learn that we all make mistakes or do things that we regret, but at the end of the day all be forgivable when we are with people that we love. In this story children can learn these lessons without any traumatic consequences in the ending as well. Yes, mistakes will be made, but life will go on and we wont make the same mistakes again. These are all very valuable lessons for children and they are taught in such a simple and sweet form. When reading this book to children I can teach them that the subject does not always have to be so fantastical that the writing loses its purpose. Sometimes the best stories are the simplest ones like one about a grandpa, a boy, and a music box.
June 5, 2008
CIP: "In Tanzania, Bernardi's mute grandfather makes him a wonderful music box and then helps him realize his dream of owning a soccer ball and going to school."
A heartwarming story about the relationship between a young boy and the mute grandfather who raises him. When a tourist offers Bernardi an irresistible sum of money for his special music box, he comes to understand that family is more important than material wealth, whie his grandfather remains a loving, supportive paternal figure throughout. The happy ending might be a bit idealistic, but Bernardi's struggle to balance Tanzanian life with Western influences like school and soccer rings true, and the beautiful watercolor illustrations show a vibrant contemporary Tanzania.
Positively reviewed in SLJ and Kirkus.
A heartwarming story about the relationship between a young boy and the mute grandfather who raises him. When a tourist offers Bernardi an irresistible sum of money for his special music box, he comes to understand that family is more important than material wealth, whie his grandfather remains a loving, supportive paternal figure throughout. The happy ending might be a bit idealistic, but Bernardi's struggle to balance Tanzanian life with Western influences like school and soccer rings true, and the beautiful watercolor illustrations show a vibrant contemporary Tanzania.
Positively reviewed in SLJ and Kirkus.
April 7, 2011
This was a great book I read in placement today. It really emphasizes on kindness and accepting what you have, even when it might not be a lot or enough. The kids had some really great comments and questions after we finished; some were extremely mature and thought provoking. I would definitely use this book in a 2nd grade classroom and up to discuss morals and acceptance. It is a good story and has a great ending that can spur a lot of discussions.
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March 9, 2011Another story about the struggles families everywhere go through just to go to school. After I read this book to my 2nd graders and we launched into a lesson about helping children spanning the globe get into schools, and the resulting injustices. Many of our students were able to connect to the story because of Babu's love of soccer, something they have in common. A fabulous way to bring Social Studies into literature.
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April 1, 2011This is a story about family and about kindness. Jealousy is a common emotion that everyone has and this story teaches children that it is always better to be happy with what you have then to complain about what you don't have. Even though not all stories end as happily as this one, students will feel encouraged as they read about the rewards of being content and selfless.
October 28, 2011
A fairly detailed story about Bernardi, a boy living in Tanzania who sells the toys his mute grandfather, Babu, makes to pay for their expenses. One day tourists offer Bernardi a great deal of money for a special music box Babu has made him, and he sells it to buy a soccer ball. Large watercolor illustrations accompany.
November 12, 2011
A fairly detailed story about Bernardi, a boy living in Tanzania who sells the toys his mute grandfather, Babu, makes to pay for their expenses. One day tourists offer Bernardi a great deal of money for a special music box Babu has made him, and he sells it to buy a soccer ball. Large watercolor illustrations accompany.
May 2, 2013
A fairly detailed story about Bernardi, a boy living in Tanzania who sells the toys his mute grandfather, Babu, makes to pay for their expenses. One day tourists offer Bernardi a great deal of money for a special music box Babu has made him, and he sells it to buy a soccer ball. Large watercolor illustrations accompany.
April 22, 2010
Babu made a music box for his grandson. His grandson sold the music box to a woman for a new soccer ball that he wanted. Grandson felt guilty, but he told the truth and Babu was not angry.
April 27, 2010
Bernardi learns a lesson after selling the music box Babu makes him to buy a soccer ball.
September 8, 2012
good for teaching about disabilities
September 17, 2012
This was a touching story about the love between a grandfather and grandson in Tanzania. Beautiful illustrations. Age 4-8 or so.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews