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Jamela #1
Jamela's Dress
Jamela gets in trouble when she takes the material intended for a new dress for Mama, parades it in the street, and allows it to become dirty and torn. But there is a happy ending in store for "Kwela Jamela African Queen," and just in time.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
March 1, 2018
Perfectly South African, and perfectly universal. Lively, funny, with a big crisis and a happy resolution, and an author's note that, unfortunately, is half-covered by my library's binding (still, I get the gist, and it is a good one to share with older children).
I honestly tried to talk myself into giving this only four stars, but I cannot find a flaw in it. Just a gem, and would be even if it weren't for the multi-cultural setting.
I will continue to read more from my latest discovery, the amazing & under-appreciated Niki Daly.
I honestly tried to talk myself into giving this only four stars, but I cannot find a flaw in it. Just a gem, and would be even if it weren't for the multi-cultural setting.
I will continue to read more from my latest discovery, the amazing & under-appreciated Niki Daly.
July 9, 2008
Jamela (who must be about the age of five) set herself to the task of watching her mother's fabric for her new party dress.
Buuuuut... well... she got a little carried away taking it to show everybody. And the fabric is ruined. There's a bit of a contrived happy ending, though I guess children mightn't realize it.
I love how realistically Jamela is portrayed. Volunteering to keep the fabric safe and the forgetting is *exactly* how children act. And I like that "Even Jamela was cross with Jamela" at the end - children really can be their own harshest critics. But what I really love is the final sequence - armed with new fabric, Jamela's mother (clearly having learned her lesson) stays with her and sings and plays as the fabric dries on the clothesline, and then she makes a dress for her daughter. It's clear how much they love each other, and it just sends warm fuzzy feelings everywhere.
Buuuuut... well... she got a little carried away taking it to show everybody. And the fabric is ruined. There's a bit of a contrived happy ending, though I guess children mightn't realize it.
I love how realistically Jamela is portrayed. Volunteering to keep the fabric safe and the forgetting is *exactly* how children act. And I like that "Even Jamela was cross with Jamela" at the end - children really can be their own harshest critics. But what I really love is the final sequence - armed with new fabric, Jamela's mother (clearly having learned her lesson) stays with her and sings and plays as the fabric dries on the clothesline, and then she makes a dress for her daughter. It's clear how much they love each other, and it just sends warm fuzzy feelings everywhere.
May 20, 2010
Jamela's dress is an adorable story that follows an African girl as she wears her mother's expensive fabric and parades throughout the town. The artwork is fairly realistic and lends a style to the book that flows from page to page. The incorporation of background images and settings tells the reader that this book is indeed taking place in a foreign country, and there are words from the African language translated in portions of the book. Despite the obvious African setting, this is a universal story that could take place in any country to any little girl. The colors in this book are stunning, and the story heartwarming.
December 28, 2017
Melkeen tekis mieli antaa 5 tähteä, vaikkei tämä ehkä ihan niin sykähdyttävä ollut. Kuitenkin tosi sympaattinen ja henkilöt tuntuu jotenkin eläväisemmältä ja tavallaan realistisemmalta kuin monissa muissa lasten kirjoissa - Lapsi pettyy itsekin itseensä kun huomaa miten tuli möhlittyä ja äitikin on oikeesti tosi pettynyt. Mutta rakkaus tulee tietysti lopussa esiin...
November 19, 2020
Jamela's Dress is a lovely story of a young African girl who loves dressing in her mother's expensive fabrics, she takes it to parade around town but when the fabric is ruined, Jamela has to face the consequences. The illustrations are vibrant and colourful and get the attention of the reader.
I would recommend Jamela's Dress for children in Key stage 1.
I would recommend Jamela's Dress for children in Key stage 1.
April 27, 2023
#145 - 1001 Children's Books To Read Before You Grow Up
October 15, 2020
Read for the 1001 Children's Books to Read Before You Grow Up list.
June 3, 2014
Jamela’s Dress is a heart-warming post-apartheid South African picture book about a little girl who just can’t resist her mama’s new, expensive dress fabric. Instead of looking after it while it hung to dry, Jamela wrapped herself up in the beautiful fabric and paraded down the street, causing it to get dirty and torn. Everyone is upset with Jamela, including Jamela herself, until Archie, a local photographer, saves the day just in time for Thelma’s wedding.
This book is most appropriate for children ages 4-8. It pairs short, simple text with beautiful, bold illustrations that really seem to supplement the words of the story. It deals with themes such as everyday life, the loving relationship between a mother and her daughter, and good intentions gone awry. Readers across the globe will find this story to be very relatable because it could happen anywhere to anyone, despite the story’s setting in Cape Town, South Africa. As a teacher, I would use this book in a cultural unit on South Africa and have students compare and contrast the setting of the story with that of our own. Students could also make connections to the story about a time they had good intentions that went awry or about a character from another book who faced a similar situation. As an extension activity, students could respond to the literature by writing about any of these connections in a reader’s response journal.
This book is most appropriate for children ages 4-8. It pairs short, simple text with beautiful, bold illustrations that really seem to supplement the words of the story. It deals with themes such as everyday life, the loving relationship between a mother and her daughter, and good intentions gone awry. Readers across the globe will find this story to be very relatable because it could happen anywhere to anyone, despite the story’s setting in Cape Town, South Africa. As a teacher, I would use this book in a cultural unit on South Africa and have students compare and contrast the setting of the story with that of our own. Students could also make connections to the story about a time they had good intentions that went awry or about a character from another book who faced a similar situation. As an extension activity, students could respond to the literature by writing about any of these connections in a reader’s response journal.
May 31, 2008
(CIP) Jamela gets in trouble when she takes the expensive material intended for a new dress for Mama, parades it in the street, and allows it to become dirty and torn.
(Claudia) When Jamela, lost in her imagination, parades down the street in the expensive fabric her mother bought to make into a special dress, the fabric becomes hopelessly soiled. Everyone is upset with Jamela, including Jamela herself, until a prize-winning photo saves the day. As in Daly’s other Jamela books, the action is lively, Jamela is a thoroughly believable preschooler, and her adventures with a large cast of sympathetic neighbors and her sometimes exasperated but always loving mother are a delight to read. Daly’s colorful paintings are equally lively and do a great job of portraying the story. Children’s Africana Book Awards Honor Book. Pre-Gr. 1.
(Africa Access) “The book is fun to read and the story is believable … Daly's illustrations bring the story to life … Background buildings represent common house styles and business structures. The clothing is typical of urban areas, as are the other "adornments" in the illustrations: bicycles, chickens, skate boards and the pet dog.”
(SLJ) Positive review. “Who could resist playful, imaginative Jamela?”
(Claudia) When Jamela, lost in her imagination, parades down the street in the expensive fabric her mother bought to make into a special dress, the fabric becomes hopelessly soiled. Everyone is upset with Jamela, including Jamela herself, until a prize-winning photo saves the day. As in Daly’s other Jamela books, the action is lively, Jamela is a thoroughly believable preschooler, and her adventures with a large cast of sympathetic neighbors and her sometimes exasperated but always loving mother are a delight to read. Daly’s colorful paintings are equally lively and do a great job of portraying the story. Children’s Africana Book Awards Honor Book. Pre-Gr. 1.
(Africa Access) “The book is fun to read and the story is believable … Daly's illustrations bring the story to life … Background buildings represent common house styles and business structures. The clothing is typical of urban areas, as are the other "adornments" in the illustrations: bicycles, chickens, skate boards and the pet dog.”
(SLJ) Positive review. “Who could resist playful, imaginative Jamela?”
October 18, 2009
Mama worked hard to earn money and spent it carefully on fabric for a new dress to wear to her friend's wedding. Jamela promised to take good care of it while it was drying on the line, but somehow daydreaming of being Kwela Jamela African Queen got the better of her, and the fabric was ruined. Everyone, including Jamela, was upset with Jamela, but a knight in shining armor, in the form of a prize-winning photographer, appeared to provide Mama (and Jamela) with a second chance.
It's the backgrounds of the illustrations and the details that make this an interesting book. Daly's native Cape Town comes to life through signs over shop doorways, pictures on the walls, and the very fabric of its residents. Daly's explanation of the etymology of the word "kwela" helps explain both Jamela's personality (action and excitement) and the reason why her dog is named Taxi (it's the current cry of the drivers as they hustle passengers around).
Kindergartners through second-graders will enjoy this tale of good intentions gone awry. Aside from being an enjoyable story, it could be paired with Galimoto by Karen Lynn Williams for two views of childhood in Africa.
It's the backgrounds of the illustrations and the details that make this an interesting book. Daly's native Cape Town comes to life through signs over shop doorways, pictures on the walls, and the very fabric of its residents. Daly's explanation of the etymology of the word "kwela" helps explain both Jamela's personality (action and excitement) and the reason why her dog is named Taxi (it's the current cry of the drivers as they hustle passengers around).
Kindergartners through second-graders will enjoy this tale of good intentions gone awry. Aside from being an enjoyable story, it could be paired with Galimoto by Karen Lynn Williams for two views of childhood in Africa.
October 4, 2016
Jamela's mother bough material to make a dress for a wedding coming up. However, Jamela loved the fabric. It made her feel like a queen. So one day, Jamela decided to wrap the fabric around her like a dress and walk into town. She drug this material through the dirty streets, through holes, and even a bike rode over the top of the fabric. Many people commented on how beautiful the fabric was even though it was torn and ratty. A photographer, Archie, came outside and photographed Jamela in the dress. Later that day, Jamela went home and her mother saw what she had done with the fabric. Jamela's mother was so upset as she had nothing to wear to the wedding. Jamela felt bad until Archie showed her that they won a contest with her photo. He won enough money to give Jamela so she could buy more fabric for her mother. Archie went with Jamela to give the money to her mom. Jamela's mom was overwhelmed and relieved. She bought enough fabric to make a dress for herself and Jamela. Jamela was called, Kwela Jamela African Queen.
This book was cute and could be used to explain different cultures, diversity, and integrity.
This book was cute and could be used to explain different cultures, diversity, and integrity.
August 14, 2008
Another great story with the character Jamela. Since the author Niki Daly grew up in Africa he vividly adds in details to this story to give the story and authentic appeal. I think that is the joy of sharing international literature because students can enter a world unlike the ones they live in. In the story, Jamela walks through the street with the fabric that is supposed to be used for her mother's dress. The children sing "Kwela Jamela African Queen". This book contains an author note at the end of the story which explains what the words mean. Author notes in stories help to provide teachers, librarians, and students background information that may be needed to help scaffold the experience.
March 9, 2015
The author uses the main character, Jamela, to describe the wardrobe for the African American culture. She elaborates upon some expensive and gorgeous fabric that was purchased for Jamela’s mother’s wedding. The author depicts the South African town life by using illustrations that best represents their way of living. She describes Jamela and her mother’s relationship by having them showing one another affection and exemplifying a bond of love. This story depicts family culture because it is expanding upon the relationship that Jamela has with her mother. There was no negative stereotypes presented in the story. The genres are fiction, family, and African American culture. The author does not identify with the group described in the story.
May 20, 2010
Jamela's Dress follows a young girl, Jamela, in a small South African town. Her mother buys fabric to make a dress for Jamela's sister's wedding. The book artfully follows Jamela while she is "watching" the fabric for her mother. The artwork is very complementary to the text; the expressionist style reflects the energy of the story. Niki Daly uses the fabric and people to lead you from one page to the next. The story is a fairly universal one that young American children could easily relate to while being exposed to African words and an African setting. The text is simple and fun while the pictures are colorful and beautiful.
March 22, 2009
This is a story of Jamela and her mum preparing for Thelma's wedding. There is, as with any wedding, dramas involving a dress (in this case it was Mama's dress).
The story is wonderfully illustrated with a fantastic sense of location. The illustrations, names and jargon reminded me of my visit to the townships of Cape Town. The sense I got there, and reminded in this book, is a sense of joy, in what seems to us to be grinding poverty. For reference the 1000 rand prize - 'Jamela had never seen so much money' - is worth about US$100 (or A$150).
The story is wonderfully illustrated with a fantastic sense of location. The illustrations, names and jargon reminded me of my visit to the townships of Cape Town. The sense I got there, and reminded in this book, is a sense of joy, in what seems to us to be grinding poverty. For reference the 1000 rand prize - 'Jamela had never seen so much money' - is worth about US$100 (or A$150).
January 31, 2016
Jamela's mama has bought new dress material for Thelam's wedding. The fabric is so beautiful Jamela can't resist wrapping it around herself, and soon she is parading through the township, proud as a peacock, to show off her make-believe dress. "Kwela Jamela African Queen!" the children sing as she passes by. Jamela is having such fun she forgets to be careful, however, and the fabric is ruined. But there's a happy ending in store, just in time for Thelma's wedding. Guess who will have the biggest smile of all the well-dressed guests? Kwela Jamela African Queen, that's who!
October 11, 2017
This is a great story to introduce students to international concepts. The main character Jamela struts through her town with some beautiful fabric that she was asked to watch over. As we see Jamela travel through town, there are many customs and concepts that young children may not have known about. The illustrations do a wonderful job in expressing the scenic aspects of the story. The story is also a good book for young children because the relationship Jamela and her mother share is very loving and very relatable to younger students.
October 18, 2009
Excellent illustrations. Set in South Africa. Jamela messes up the expensive fabric that her mother bought to make herself a dress to her friends wedding by marching proudly down her village street with it gaining much attention. Fortunately, a local photographer snaps her picture, wins an award for it, and purchases new material for the dress for Jamel's mom when he learns that her walk thru town ruined the material.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2015
Jamela's Dress is a heart enduring story of a young African girl who loves (stealing) dressing in her mother's expensive fabrics and parading around town. When her mother discovers her missing fabrics, Jamela has to face the consequences. The illustrations are vibrant, lively, and portray a realistic depiction of the detailed fabrics. I would recommend Jamela's Dress for children ages preschool and up.
November 23, 2007
Gorgeously expressive illustrations capture the small pleasures of a dreamy preschooler, the chaos of failed judgments and the matchless relief of reconnection in this longtime family favourite.
Listen to our chat about Jamela's Dress on our JustOneMoreBook.com Children's Book Podcast:
http://www.justonemorebook.com/2007/1...
Listen to our chat about Jamela's Dress on our JustOneMoreBook.com Children's Book Podcast:
http://www.justonemorebook.com/2007/1...
April 20, 2010
A mothers love is unconditional! This is a lovely story of a little girl who ruins her mom's new dress cloth by prading around with in in the dirty streets. Even though her mom is really mad about what she did she shows her that she still loves her. This is a great book to read aloud and ask many test to self questions.
July 16, 2013
I like the general concept and cultural background of this story, but it wraps up rather tidily.... And it bothers me a bit that there is virtually no consequence for Jamela. I'm not sure she needed outright "punishment," but her actions only resulted in more great things happening for her. Seems untrue to life :-).
November 18, 2019
This book tells a story of a little girl to takes on the responsibility of looking after something of her mothers that is very special, however, she makes a mistake and ends up disappointing her mother. In the end she manages to save it by buying her mother a replacement of what she destroyed. It could be looked at in relation to different cultures too.
August 14, 2008
The illustrations were very vivid in the story "Jamela's Dress". It would be easy for students to get a good picture of what it would look like in Africa. Students could compare how the people of this country get ready for a wedding with how people in America do the same.
February 5, 2009
Jamela is a clever, spirited little girl who happens to live in South Africa. When she falls in love with her mother's new dress fabric, trouble ensues. My daughter and I loved Jamela, and Daly's pictures and text present Africa in a positve and realistic way.
June 24, 2010
The plot revolves around a little girl who accidentally ruins her mother's special fabric, which kids will recognize as a good girl who did something bad but isn't bad herself. Demonstrates that if a mistake can be fixed, then sometimes it turns out even better than if there was no accident at all.
November 7, 2012
What a sweet book! The warmly colored illustrations add whimsy and complete this funny, heartwarming story of a girl with a big imagination and a mistake she makes while day dreaming. I just adore it.
September 29, 2016
Really enjoyed this book, easy to read and enjoyable. brilliant for an English lesson or a PSHE lesson as children can discuss and write about accidents that they have done and create stories that begin happy have drama in the middle and at the end are happy again.
February 6, 2017
Jamela reminds me of my own little 7 year old sister :)
Her excitement for the world, coupled with her forgetfulness and creative disorganization? Makes for an interesting mess, clean up, and laugh :)
Her excitement for the world, coupled with her forgetfulness and creative disorganization? Makes for an interesting mess, clean up, and laugh :)
April 22, 2010
Cute book about a little girl who falls in love with her mothers fabric. She puts it on and walks around the street as she imagines being a queen. Adorable book! Great for imagination!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews