The Orphan Boy

by Tololwa M. Mollel, Paul Morin (Illustrator)

One night the old man looked at the stars but one was missing! Suddenly he heard footsteps. He turned his head to see an orphan boy. The man and the boy lived together. The boy had a special secret that he said he couldn't share. The man's curiosity got the better of him and his life was changed forever.

This award-winning picture book is based on a Maasai legend about the planet Venus and tells of a loyal affection despite broken trust.

Genres: Picture Books, Africa, Cultural, Childrens, Folklore

32 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1990

About the author

Education: University of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, BA, literature and theater, 1972; University of Alberta, Canada, MA, drama, 1979, PhD, drama, 2001-.
Memberships: Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators, and Performers; Society of Children's Book Writers; Writers Guild of Alberta; Alberta Legion of Encouraging Storytelling.

Career

University lecturer, director of children's theater and actor in Tanzania, 1979-86; writer, storyteller and lecturer in Canada, 1986-; Edmonton Public Library, writer-in-residence, 2000-.

Life's Work

In many modern cultures, the practice of handing down history through the oral and pictorial traditions of storytelling is giving way to the flashy special effects of Hollywood movies, the lessons learned in television sitcoms, or the unsubstantiated truths that can be downloaded from the Internet. Numerous old folk and native stories have been lost as popular culture has failed to integrate them into modern entertainment. However, several artists and authors have taken it upon themselves to preserve these stories and rejuvenate them for contemporary young audiences, including children's storybook author Tololwa Mollel. Since 1992 Mollel has been reinventing African tribal tales and creating original stories that he hopes will teach children about varying cultural backgrounds as well as focusing thematically on traditional morals and values. As Mollel said in an on-line Kids Care Club interview, "I think folklore plays a role in providing children as they grow a basic literary vocabulary and means with which to perceive the world and human behavior. It also provides them entertainment and a means of socializing them into the mores and values of the community."

Even though Mollel now makes his home in Canada, he was born in the Arusha region of Tanzania on June 25, 1952, to Loilangisho and Saraa (Eleiser) Mollel. Early in his life, Mollel was sent to live with his grandparents who tended a coffee farm in northern Tanzania. It was here that he was introduced to two very important influences, storytelling and religion. His grandparents made sure that Mollel and the other children living with them had access and constant exposure to biblical stories in order to foster a love of literature and Christian values. They also very heavily valued education and reading. In an article on Mollel on the University of Alberta website, it stated that Mollel would run home from school, "to share the thing he had read at school. Mollel's grandfather would listen intently, probing for details." Mollel says that it was these first conversations with his grandfather that sparked within him a "love of storytelling that has never left."

First Book Retold Maasai Venus Story

Mollel attended the University of Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania to pursue a bachelor's degree in literature in theater. He accomplished this goal in 1972 and proceeded to further his education by attending the University of Alberta in Canada. Mollel decided to focus on his talents in the fields of theater and performance, and received his masters degree in drama in 1979. Afterward he returned to Tanzania and was employed as a university lecturer in the field of drama. He was also a director and actor at a children's theater. As Mollel continued to work and produce plays, he lived meagerly and saved his earnings in the hopes of returning to Canada. It would take him seven years, but finally in 1986, Mollel returned to Canada, this time not as a student but as an emigrant. He continued to lecture in Edmonton, Canada to make ends meet, but fostered his love of storytelling that he had been able to express while working in the Tanzanian children's theater. In the late 1980s, he turned to writing as an outlet, and wrote a few short stories for children that were published by various magazines.

Then, in 1991, Mollel published his first major children's book, The Orphan Boy. The Orphan Boy embodies an old folktale about the planet

Reviews

[Erin Sterling · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated re-telling of an East African Massai legend of the night sky and the origin of the planet Venus, the story is about an old man who meets a young orphan boy who changes his life. The boy, Kileken, magically gets morning chores done before the old man wakes up, keeps the lands green, and the cattle fed even in a drought. Despite the boy’s warning to avoid discovering his secret, the man’s curiosity grows and grows. Will the old man give in to his longing? Originally published in 1990 and the winner of numerous awards, this redesigned edition includes ten new illustrations. The paintings capture the beauty and starkness of East Africa and the text is simple, yet engaging.

[Maggie McKeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was about a spiritual old man who kept from being lonely by keeping track of the stars. When a mysterious orphan boy appears suddenly, the old man is very happy, for now he is no longer alone. However, the young boy seems to be almost too good to be true. The boy tells the old man to trust him, and that as long as he trusts him, he will have everything he could ever want. As the tale goes on, the old man gets anxious and desperately desires to know the boy's secret and when he finds out, he loses all the riches he once had and returned to keeping track of the stars.

The major theme of this book, from a spiritual perspective, would be to keep your faith and do not doubt in the Lord.

If I were in a religious school setting, I would definitely read this book to my class. I would read this story and then relate it to a story in the Bible that had to do with doubting or greed. I would then ask the class to compare the two books to see how they are alike in the lessons that they teach.

[Liyya Mangabow · Rating 3 out of 5]

All his life the old man has longed for a child. So when Kileken, the orphan boy, mysteriously appears, the old man is delighted. Happy to have a son at last, he finds it easy to let the boy keep the one thing he owns — a secret known to him alone. But when the old man sees that Kileken has powers no ordinary boy has, he becomes curious. And soon he is desperate to know the boy’s secret. This magical retelling of the Maasai legend explores the origin of the planet Venus, known as Kileken. Author Tololwa Mollel’s elegant and tender text is accompanied by artist Paul Morin’s luminous paintings, which capture the sun-backed earth and dramatic beauty of East Africa. First published in 1990, The Orphan Boy was met with national and international honors and awards. Now, this stunning new edition has been redesigned and contains ten additional paintings for the next generations of young readers. The Orphan Boy has been translated into the South African languages of Zulu, Xhosa, Setswana and Afrikaans, and was broadcast on radio in twelve African countries.

[Husayn Tulloch-jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was about a man who wanted a son. He watched the stars of the night sky every night. Until one night he noticed there was something different. One of the star were gone it had become a hard working and honest boy. The man was good to the boy at first so he stayed but then, the man became cruel to the boy so he left.

I read this book because I wanted to read a book that had to do with black history month. Since this book is an African tale I figured it has to do with black history.

I finished the book because it is an interesting story so. I also finished because it is a book that has to do with black history month.

I recommend this book to kids 12 and under because it is a kids story and is a fun story that kids enjoy.

[Jon Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Oprhan Boy. It is a touching story of a man in search of a star that runs into this Orphan Boy. The book could be a great book to introduce students to another culture that they may not know.

This book is a good mentor text for voice.

Reading level 5.5

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as the Greeks have stories about the stars, the constellations, the planets, and the universe, so too do other cultures. Here, Orphan Boy comes from Kenya, and Kileken is the light in the sky that rises in the east, and is the first light in the sky that appears while the sun sets in the west. It is the planet Venus.

Blessings can be given and blessings can be withdrawn. Curiosity can have very negative consequences for an elder, alone on his land, and no children to help him with his chores. But he pursued his curiosity, to his own detriment.

[Emma Hine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this traditional tale set in an African landscape, even though it has a sad ending. This is a good book for exploring traditional tales and stories from other cultures.

[I Contain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterful children's book adaptation of a Masai folktale. Great for teaching about new cultures and the value of honesty/loyalty. The illustrations are beautiful!

[Ksenia Roeder · Rating 3 out of 5]

beautiful and sad story about fallen human nature with its inability to enjoy the moment. the boys loved it: it is a very mysterious plot, with sadness and secrets.

[LibraryCin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The night an old man in Eastern Africa is “missing” a star he knows should be there, an orphan boy arrives asking for a place to stay. The old man has no children and would welcome both some company and a helping hand with the cattle and farm. The boy seems able to perform miracles with the work and the man is desperate to know how the boy does these things. The boy tells him it's a secret and if the old man found out, all the good tidings would be gone.

I really liked this story. It's a picture book, so very quick to read, and it has gorgeous colour illustrations.

The author was born in Tanzania, but I found it interesting that he did some of his education in Canada and currently lives in Alberta. The illustrator is from Alberta.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Legend

I love that my genre unit got dusted off for the beginning of this school year. I love this unit and was so happy to bring it back after 5 years (2 of grad school and 3 of non-openness at my school for such a unit). The entire 4th grade used my books and my materials. :)

This is an amazing legend. I first read it in my kiddie lit class in college. Everything I do comes from the class (as do the seeds of this unit). I'm so thankful I had such a progressive professor.

[Kecia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to meet the illustrator of this book and see the orginal artwork at his home outside Toronto. They are simply gorgeous! The story itself is a bit long and tedious but the illustrations make it a worthwhile read.

[LeAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

An old man takes in an orphan boy who brings him good fortune until the old man seeks to learn the boys secret.
Spectacular, textured illustrations. Story might appeal to orphans, but mystical elements could be a problem to evangelicals.

[Taylor Brune · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Orphan Boy is about an East African man who desperately wanted a son. He ended up getting an orphan, but became very cruel to the young boy. Although the illustrations in this story are incredible, I wasn't too entertained by the story itself.

[Valerie Johnson · Rating 1 out of 5]

The from cover of this book made me not want to read it. It looks like a African American Boy in slavery pregnant on the front cover. Would not recommend this book

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful child's tale dealing with trust and the cost of curiosity. I can see spiritual parallel's with Christian faith. Matthew 6:25-34 and the temptation of man in Genesis. The author's last name drew me to this sweet tale as it was the same as the little girl from Tanzania I sponsor through Compassion International. I would recommend it as a read aloud to younger children. Paul Morin's art is wonderful as well.

[Elizabeth]

A touching story, beautifully illustrated. I was hoping for a different ending, but at a certain point it became clear how this would end.