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14 Cows for America

Carmen Agra Deedy,

Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah,

Thomas Gonzalez (Illustrator)

4.32 · Rating details · 3,281 ratings · 645 reviews

In June of 2002, a ceremony begins in a village in western Kenya. Hundreds of Maasai surround an American diplomat to bestow a gift on the American people. The gift is as unsought and unexpected as it is extraordinary. A mere nine months have passed since the September 11 attacks, and hearts are raw. Tears flow freely as these legendary warriors offer their gift to a griev ...more

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Hardcover, 36 pages

Published August 1st 2009 by Peachtree Publishing Company

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14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy

2010 Caldecott Hopefuls

61 books — 164 voters

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Average rating 4.32 ·

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· 3,281 ratings · 645 reviews

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Jan 30, 2012 Marie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mclit, info-bios, favorite-books, picture-books

Carmen Agra Deedy’s 14 Cows For American is the true heart-wrenching story of Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah, an African medical student studying in New York when the twin towers burned on 911. He returns to his Maasai tribe and retells the story in the hopes that the elders will bless the cow he worked so hard to purchase for his mother but now decides to give to America. As Kimeli Naiyomah explains, his tribe taught him that, ”to heal the pain in someone’s heart, you give something that is close to yo Carmen Agra Deedy’s 14 Cows For American is the true heart-wrenching story of Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah, an African medical student studying in New York when the twin towers burned on 911. He returns to his Maasai tribe and retells the story in the hopes that the elders will bless the cow he worked so hard to purchase for his mother but now decides to give to America. As Kimeli Naiyomah explains, his tribe taught him that, ”to heal the pain in someone’s heart, you give something that is close to your own heart.” To the nomadic Maasai tribe a cow means, “life”. Without their cows they would starve to death. The tribe hears the story and decides one by one to also give, until 14 cows in all are offered. An American diplomat is sent to receive the gift. When he and his wife arrive they are given a ceremony with full traditional garb, dance and the experience of a sacred ritual. They are moved to tears and so was I!

Upon reading this picture storybook one can tell why it won a Bluestem Award nomination and Parent's Choice Award. Thomas Gonzalez’s illustrations are simply beautiful. The bold bright colors would be appealing to any child. The wide horizontal shaped design of the book with illustrations across two pages emphasizes the landscape and openness of nature and the heavens, the setting for this story. The text is just as beautiful as the illustrations. Each support each other so the reader feels the depth of the emotions felt by the tribe that day and the magnitude of their gift. The story ends with, “because there is no nation to powerful it cannot be wounded, nor a people so small they cannot offer mighty comfort”. The text is accompanied by a drawing of the main character’s eye with the reflection of the twin towers burning in the richness of his beautiful black eyes. I know at this point, I have lost all control!

I was left with questions at the end of the book like did they really send the cows and if so, here where are they now? All of my questions were answered in the epilogue along with a website for further information.

This text would lend itself to discussion in numerous ways for students 9 and up. A discussion about 911 and how it impacted to world would be appropriate. I would also suggest using this book as a mentor text to discuss visual literacy elements with children second grade and up. Discussions about how illustrations and text and how they support each other for understanding and mood and tone of a text would be in order.
...more

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Jan 29, 2016 Kayla Edwards rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, middle-grade-nonfiction

This a beautiful story about the incredible generosity of a village towards a country they have never known. It reminds us how precious and bittersweet a gift it is to share the burden of grief.

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Sep 06, 2009 Betsy rated it it was amazing

As with any tragedy, in the years following the wake of September 11th a spate of books came out discussing, dissecting, and generally trying to make sense of what occurred. In this the children’s literary world and the adult literary world were very much alike. Picture books in particular took a great deal of interest in making the events palatable to young impressionable minds. The results were mixed. The general consensus was to write titles that focused on the human moments that surrounded t ...more

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Jan 01, 2016 Cassie Cox rated it it was amazing

This picture book was recommended by a presenter at NCTE. I made a huge book order upon returning from Minneapolis, and I'm slowly making my way through this purchase. Today I finally picked up this book, and I loved it. It is so easy to remain caught up with only those things set right before our eyes, but we're all connected. Humanity. People can be so amazing, and this book is a reminder that we can make a positive difference in the world, regardless of our situation--or location--in life, an ...more

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Jul 19, 2019 Abigail rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Readers Looking for Children's Books Reacting to & About 9/11

Shelves: 9-11, picture-books, cross-cultural-friendship, childrens-non-fiction

It's difficult to think of a topic more widely canvassed, in recent years, than the events of September 11, 2001, and the causes, meanings, and ramifications thereof. Everyone - from the "pride goeth before a fall" lot, who blame U.S. foreign policy for the attacks, to the "clash of civilizations" crowd, who look to the inherent evil of the cultures and religion which produced the terrorists for a cause - has an opinion. It may sound odd, given the current omnipresence of this event in our publi It's difficult to think of a topic more widely canvassed, in recent years, than the events of September 11, 2001, and the causes, meanings, and ramifications thereof. Everyone - from the "pride goeth before a fall" lot, who blame U.S. foreign policy for the attacks, to the "clash of civilizations" crowd, who look to the inherent evil of the cultures and religion which produced the terrorists for a cause - has an opinion. It may sound odd, given the current omnipresence of this event in our public discourse, but I rarely hear anyone speaking - save in a bombastic way - about what actually happened that day: about the more than three thousand human beings who were brutally murdered in the span of a few short hours.

It may very well be that this is a necessity, if one is to engage in a rational political discussion of the matter, without being swallowed whole by emotional distress. I have this particularly vivid memory of a panel discussion held shortly after 9/11 at my college, in which hot debate about what would and should happen next was interrupted by a quiet young Indian student, who stood up and wondered aloud how the participants could already be haggling about who was to blame, reducing a terrible tragedy to little more than a talking point in their own ongoing political narratives. "Thousands of people have died!" he exclaimed, and the hall fell silent. No one knew what to say - partly I suspect, because they recognized the truth of his accusation. But also because, what could they say? What, save our fumbling attempts to make meaning, can be done in the face of such an atrocity?

Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah - a young Maasai man studying medicine in the United States, who found himself in New York City on that fateful day, and was haunted afterword by the terrible loss suffered by his host nation - discovered the answer to that question in the traditions of his people, and in his own "childhood heart." Returning to his village, it was Kimeli who brought the news of that day to the Maasai, who told them the terrible story, and who asked the elders' blessing for his symbolic gift of Enkarûs - his only cow - to America. Moved by his story, and mindful of the fact that "there is no nation so powerful it cannot be wounded, nor a people so small they cannot offer mighty comfort," the elders agreed. They, and the people, did something more: they added their own cows to Kimeli's gift. Fourteen cows for America, from a pastoral people for whom "the cow is life."

Written by Carmen Agra Deedy, in collaboration with Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah, whose story it is, 14 Cows for America is an immensely moving little book, a reminder that, while there is malice and cruelty in the world, there is also great generosity and compassion. It isn't a book to explain the events of 9/11, so much as a tale of how one person responded to those events: how he carried the story around with him, until it "burned a hole in his heart;" how he shared the burden of that story with his loved ones and community; and how he found, in the teachings of his childhood, in the idea that "To heal a sorrowing heart, give something that is dear to your own," a way to express his compassion, his fellow-feeling.

Thomas Gonzalez' illustrations - done in pastel and colored pencil - are beautiful, subtly capturing both the light-filled land of the Maasai, and (in the storytelling scenes) the smoky terror of 9/11. But the true strength here is the narrative, which, in its very simplicity, paints the best picture I have yet seen of that terrible day in New York: "Buildings so tall they can touch the sky... Fires so hot they can melt iron... Smoke and dust so thick they can block out the sun... More than three thousand souls are lost." I wept. Isn't that what one does, in the face of such terrible wrong? Isn't that what one does, in the face of such love? ...more

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Feb 08, 2014 538pm_sarahszymanski rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mini-unit

Author: Carmen Agra Deedy
Illustrator: Thomas Gonzalez
Illustrations done in pastels, colored pencils, and airbrush on 100% rag archival watercolor paper.
Award(s)/Honor(s): NSSTB 2010; SSLH 2010
Grades: (Reading level: 3-5) Used as part of text set for 8th grade.

Summary: This is a moving story about a remote tribe in Kenya called the Maasai and their touching gift to America after the September 11th attacks.

Theme: This book offers its readers a look into the thoughts and sincere longing of the Ma Author: Carmen Agra Deedy
Illustrator: Thomas Gonzalez
Illustrations done in pastels, colored pencils, and airbrush on 100% rag archival watercolor paper.
Award(s)/Honor(s): NSSTB 2010; SSLH 2010
Grades: (Reading level: 3-5) Used as part of text set for 8th grade.

Summary: This is a moving story about a remote tribe in Kenya called the Maasai and their touching gift to America after the September 11th attacks.

Theme: This book offers its readers a look into the thoughts and sincere longing of the Maasai tribe to soothe the suffering of a country who endured a great injustice. Deedy captures the essence of the Maasai’s gift to America in that no country is too great to not need to support and compassion of a people so small. This story inspires others to look beyond the magnitude of a crisis and contribute to a solution with meaning and genuine kindness.

Classroom Connection: This book may compliment studies of African culture or help to contribute to discussions related to the September 11th terrorist attacks. This book may also help to tie in cultural diversities in the classroom or how one person or a small group of people can make an impact on an entire community (or country). While this picture book is intended for grades 3-5, it can also be used during carefully constructed middle school lessons and activities to ignite student’s thinking.

Readers’ Advisory: The content of this book does require basic prior knowledge of the September 11th attacks. This will be important for teachers to recognize in situations where English Language Learners are present as they may lack basic prior knowledge in this area. Teachers will want to ensure that these students are provided an opportunity to learn about and prepare for this reading.

The magnificent illustrations and the compelling story of the Maasai tribe will keep students captivated until the end. Deedy’s ability to capture how deeply affected the Maasai were by the tragedy and their sincere desire to ease the grief of America is both compelling and alluring. Thomas Gonzalez’s use of brilliant colors in his illustrations is sure to entice the reader but it will be the facial expressions that are depicted throughout the story that will surely evoke every readers emotions.
...more

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Sep 15, 2013 Lauren Ritcey rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fab-40, possible-fab-40

Genre: Multicultural
Awards: Parent's Choice Gold Award
Grade Level: 1-6
Comments: I would read this book to my classroom on September 11. I would use it to promote discussion with my students on what they know about 9/11. I would also discuss the idea of different parts of the world coming together to memorialize on an important day. I think that would build such a connection in the students mind knowing that the entire world can come together to be supportive of one another. I could also bring th ...more

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Sep 16, 2015 Roua rated it did not like it

I do not this story because I do not like these kinds of stories.

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Nov 17, 2014 Jennifer rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya, mclit, 520info, z-fp-level-s, historicalfic, interest-level-k-2

14 Cows for America, written by Carmen Agra Deedy and illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez, is a story about the compassion shown to the American community in the wake of the September 11th attacks on America. Kenyan born Kimeli Naiyomah was living in New York on September 11, 2001 and experienced the horror felt by all of America on that day. The following spring, he returned to his Maasai village and told shared his experiences with his Kenyan community. In a culture where a cow is the most sacred p 14 Cows for America, written by Carmen Agra Deedy and illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez, is a story about the compassion shown to the American community in the wake of the September 11th attacks on America. Kenyan born Kimeli Naiyomah was living in New York on September 11, 2001 and experienced the horror felt by all of America on that day. The following spring, he returned to his Maasai village and told shared his experiences with his Kenyan community. In a culture where a cow is the most sacred possession, Kimeli decides to give a gift of a cow to the Americans as an expression of empathy and sorrow. Upon presenting his cow to tribal elders for a blessing, Kimeli finds that other elders in his tribe have added to his gift. In this way, 14 Cows are offered for America.

This collaborative effort shares with readers one example of the empathy and sorrow felt around the world by the tragic events of September 11th. Despite dramatic cultural differences between the Maasai and American people, the universal human emotions of compassion, empathy, and sacrifice break cultural bonds and bring us together. This picture book is filled with stunning illustrations that draw us into this community. Thomas Gonzalez’s focus on the expressive faces of these characters is one of the strongest elements of this book. I found the images of the sky in this book equally moving. On that day, the treats came from the sky. Most images from that day show witnesses looking to the sky. Gonzalez’s attention to the sky in each of his drawings reminds those of us alive on that day of what came through the sky to change history.

While this book could be read to elementary age students, middle and high school students are better equipped to understand the cultural significance of a gift of 14 cows. This book could be used as part of a larger unit that looked at worldwide response to the September 11th attacks. The note from Kimeli Naiyomah at the end of the book provides the background information for readers from other cultures to understand the symbolic meaning of the cow and it's significance to this village.

This book earned the 2009 Parents' Choice Gold Award, the 2010 Comstock Read Aloud Book Award, and the 2009 Cybils Awards Nominee for Nonfiction Picture Books.
...more

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Mar 15, 2012 CH13_Meghan Schultz rated it really liked it

Shelves: multicultural-picture-books, rll-520-multicultural

14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra details the story of Kimeli Naiyomah, a man who grew up in a small village in Kenya, but eventually moved to the United States in order to obtain a degree from Stanford University. The story details Kimeli’s journey home after the 9/11 tragedy, and his interaction with the people of his village after retelling the horrific events.

This story does a wonderful job portraying the message that all can lend aid in a time of need and that suffering of humanity is univ 14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra details the story of Kimeli Naiyomah, a man who grew up in a small village in Kenya, but eventually moved to the United States in order to obtain a degree from Stanford University. The story details Kimeli’s journey home after the 9/11 tragedy, and his interaction with the people of his village after retelling the horrific events.

This story does a wonderful job portraying the message that all can lend aid in a time of need and that suffering of humanity is universal. The way in which the people of the Massai tribe show their support for America is wonderfully heart warming. The tribe’s people want to send their most prized possession, cows, to the hurting country, even at the expense their own tribe’s well being. The author writes, “They sing to them. They give them names. They shelter the young ones in their homes. Without the herd, the tribe might starve. To the Maasai, the cow is life,” (Agra). The cow to the Maasai is a symbol of life, and without cows, the Maasai would starve. Their herd means a great deal to them. The significance might be lost on readers (Americans) at first glance but upon closer inspection, and possibly a rereading, it is obvious that the Massai gave of their hearts to show their support to America.

The visuals Thomas Gonzalez creates are breathtaking. The use of wide horizontal portraits emphasizes the landscape and openness of the setting. I especially enjoyed the picture of a young Massai boy with the twin towers in his eyes as it visually created the connection between the tribe and 9/11.

While I truly enjoyed this story, both the storyline and the visuals, I was left wondering why the author chose to end the story so vaguely? Furthermore, why doesn’t the author choose to tell the story of what happened to the cows or the response from Americans? This vagueness obviously left me with more questions than answers at the end of the story, and while I am sure this is not the intent of the author, it is a frustrating feeling to have when ending a seemingly well-written picture book. ...more

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Jan 24, 2013 CH13_Kieran rated it really liked it

Shelves: mc-literature

I was moved by this picture book. It tells us the story of Kimeli, a Maasai man, who returned to his home village for a time as he was studying to be a doctor. When he returns, his people ask for a story and he provides them with one of the attacks of September 11th. The Maasai respond with a stunning and inspirational gift of what they hold most dear; cows; fourteen, in fact.

It takes talented authors to write about such an emotional event as September 11th in a manner that is understandable to ...more

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Feb 29, 2016 Mary-Haven Von Lehmden rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-i-want-for-my-classroom, wow-books

14 Cows for America is a moving story that shows how kindness can break the barriers between different countries and cultures. This story follows the main character, Kimeli, as he ventures home to a small village in Kenya. When he arrives he tells the villagers the story of what happened in America on 9/11. His village is moved by the story and wants to offer their condolences to America with a sacred gift!

This book could be used in many ways to teach in the classroom:
-Discuss Kenyan culture. Ex ...more

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Mar 08, 2016 Taylor rated it it was amazing

Shelves: wow-books

This book is eye-opening and gives a different perspective of 9/11, in the way that it comes from Kimeli, a young man who was born in Kenya but now lives in America and was there during the incident in September of 2001. 14 Cows for America deals with a village in Kenya, the Maasai people, who are helping to assist America in hopes to help heal their pain, just a mere 9 months after the 9/11 attacks. It's amazing what can be done with countries and their friendships, with just 14 cows.
I would u ...more

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Dec 18, 2009 Diana Hanke rated it it was amazing

What a beautiful story of human compassion and sacrifice. 14 Cows for America tells the story of a young man,Kimeli, who belongs to the Maasai, nomadic hunters who live in a small village in Kenya. He has left his beloved village to study in America. While in New York City, he experiences the devastation of September 11th. It breaks his heart, and in his desire to share hope with those who lost so much, he vows to sacrifice his only cow. Cows to the Maasai are life. They raise them and love them ...more

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Mar 12, 2017 Paige Christianson rated it really liked it

Shelves: informational-elm-335, elm-335-wow-books

"14 Cows for America" by Carmen Agra Deedy was a wonderful informational story about how September 11, 2001 affected not only the United States but the entire globe. It tells the true story of a man who comes from a Maasai village in Africa to study in America during the time of 9/11. He then returns to his village to tell his family and friends about the event, and they decide to show their respect and sympathy to Americans by "giving" 14 cows to the American diplomat of their country. Cows are ...more

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Apr 15, 2012 Nicole Isernio rated it it was amazing

Shelves: children-s-books

This is a heartwarming story of the Maasai Tribe and the incredible gift they give to another country. Set in western Kenya, the cow is the way of life for these people and they treat them with great respect and honor. One of the tribe members, Kimeli is studying in New York City when the September 11th Attacks occurred and is decides he must do something to help. He returns to Kenya and informs his tribe of the catastrophe that has occurred in the United States. Kimeli decides he will offer his ...more

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Sep 09, 2016 Aly Gutierrez rated it it was amazing

Shelves: my-books, reading-4050

A warrior made a perilous journey home to Kenya. People cried when they realized he was home. The Maasai tribe believes that the cattle are life. Without the cattle, the tribe would not survive. This warrior gathered the town to tell them what he has seen. Everyone gathers under an acacia tree; which is the tribe’s tradition. The tribe relays the message to the US embassy. They sent an American diplomat who was greeted with a celebration by the tribe. They gave him fourteen cows. No nation is u ...more

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Oct 17, 2009 Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance rated it really liked it

Shelves: problems-ideas, children-s-books, picture-book

My Thoughts:

Whew! What a life-affirming story! It gives you hope for the world.
The pictures are up close and personal. The text is vivid and rings with compassion for the world.

Here’s the story, if you don’t know it: A Kenyan wins a scholarship to go to America and become a doctor. While he is there, he experiences 9/11. He returns to his people, a tribe once renowned as warriors but who are now known as master cow herders. The tribe feels great sorrow when the young man tells them of the traged ...more

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Jul 31, 2016 Sandy Brehl rated it it was amazing

Shelves: dealing-with-death, mg, multi-cultural, grief, young-elementary, communities, excpressions-emotions, history, pb-non-fiction, very-young

The original circumstances and individuals on which this book is based probe deeply into the pain of September 11 and the power of individuals to respond to tragedy in meaningful ways. The summary above is one of the best I've read on Goodreads and so I won't repeat details of the contents. The quality of the images, storytelling, and essential values of the book justify its inclusion in any collection- personal, home, or school.
I will add, though, that this would make an excellent exemplar text ...more

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May 11, 2012 JJ Jones rated it it was amazing

Shelves: rll529-africa

14 Cows For America is a fascinating look at how an event in America’s history affected a remote village in Africa thousands of miles away. A young man from a remote village in Kenya returns home for a visit. He is studying to be a doctor in New York, and 9/11 was just a few months past. He retells the devastation of that day to the elders in his village, and they come together to offer a gift of hope to America; 14 sacred cows.
The story and the illustrations work together to show a different r ...more

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Mar 11, 2015 Clara rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-fic

14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy

This is a picture book that reflects the true events that took place on September 11, 2001. The story is narrated by a young man named Kimeli who had been studying in New York to become a doctor when the tragedy of September 11th occurred. Kimeli shared what happened that day with his village Maasai in Kenya. When they heard the story, they felt deeply sad for the American people and they blessed and offered 14 healing sacred cows to the American people as ...more

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Dec 06, 2015 Jessica Lee rated it it was amazing

Shelves: t-l-307-books, picture-books

This novel was truly astounding. It really made a huge impression on me and touched my heart in many ways. I loved the story and how it really brought to light that when America was going through a hard time, there were countries who were giving their most prized possessions to lend us a hand in our time of need. I loved that this book not only showed two different cultures separately, but how it brought them together. The illustrations did an amazing job on showing the stark contrasts between t ...more

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Sep 23, 2013 Kathryn rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

1. Genre: Multicultural
2. Awards: Beehive award, Best Book for Kids (multicultural category, Best Children's Book of the Year, Bluestem Book Award, CCBC Choices (Historical People, Places and Events, Comstock Book Award, E.B. White Read-Aloud Honor, Land of Enchantment Book Awards, Notable Books for a Global Society, Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, Parents’ Choice Gold Award, Society of School Librarians International Book Awards (honor book, Social Studies K-6), Teachers’ ...more

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Sep 16, 2015 MrsMitchell rated it liked it

Shelves: read2015

We really liked how the Maasai people gave cows in honor of America! It's nice that they gave what they had, since they didn't have lots of money to give. We loved the big, colorful pictures! They really helped us learn about the Maasai people. We also liked seeing how people in different countries can connect with each other, and how very different cultures can feel the same way when something bad happens.

However, it was hard to read a story about 9/11. That was such a bad tragedy, and it star ...more

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Jul 14, 2014 Zach rated it it was amazing

Shelves: text-set

14 Cows for America is the heart warming story of how an african village unites to donate 14 precious cows to an american diplomat as a way to show their compassion for the American people in the aftermath of september 11th. Kimeli Naiyomah, a member of the village who moved to America describes the horrors of 9/11 to the members of his community. In an effort help heal the american people, the villagers decide individually to donate 14 cows- a symbol of life and security to the Americans. Greet ...more

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Jul 22, 2014 Judi rated it it was amazing

Shelves: great-read-alouds

This is an amazing story, told in picture book form, about how a tribe in Africa responded to the events of September 11, 2001. It is so inspiring and heart warming to read about how this tribe was so heart broken about how terrorists harmed our country on that day that they opened their own hearts to America. One of their tribesmen had come to America to go to school and had gone back to visit - telling them of the events about 6 months after it happened. The artwork is gorgeous and I love this ...more

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Oct 09, 2016 Anna Smith rated it really liked it

Shelves: apsu-rdg-4050-taylor, book-summary

Book summary: A young man travels to America to get an education to be a doctor and during this time frame a tragedy happened in America. On September 11th the twin tours were attacked. He along with America were heart broken. He traveled back to his home land and he sat his people around a tree and told them a tale of the pain America felt. They decided to give their 14 cows to The US Embassy as an offering of peace and love. The cows are still being taken care of by the Tribe.
Grade level: 1st- ...more

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Jul 11, 2010 Kristi rated it it was amazing

One nation is mourning and another one wants to help--but this is not your everyday international aid story. A young man named Kimeli returns home to his Maasai village in Kenya with a story to tell. The story is about the events that took place in New York City, September 11, 2001. The Maasai people are moved by the story and want to offer a gesture of comfort and friendship. The gift connects two cultures in a very special way.

14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy (Illustrated by Thomas Gon ...more

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Sep 10, 2013 Amber M rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fab-40-file

Genre: Multicultural

Awards: Cybils Award Nominee for Nonfiction Picture Books (2009), Parents' Choice Gold Award (2009), Comstock Read Aloud Book Award (2010)

Grade: 3-4

This book will allow the students to see how other cultures felt and dealt with the events of 9/11. Since the book is about a tribe in Kenya it will also allow us to explore Africa and their culture. There are several themes associated with this book: giving, compassion, friendship, and symbolism. For a follow up activity I would ...more

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Sep 17, 2010 Hilary rated it it was amazing

Shelves: armchair-traveler, contemporary, picture-books, informational, read-alouds

Very few people knew of the Maasai tribe's gesture to the United States after the tragedy of 9/11 -- a gift of 14 cows. As Deedy observes:

"Once they were feared warrirors. Now they live peacably as nomadic cattle herders. They treat their cows as kindly as they do their children. /They sing to them. They give them names. They shelter the young ones in their homes. Without the herd, the tribe might starve./ To the Maasai, the cow is life."

I could never read this book aloud to an audience.
I would ...more

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About Carmen Agra Deedy

Carmen Agra Deedy

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Carmen Agra Deedy is an internationally known author of children’s literature, a storyteller and radio contributor. Born in Havana, Cuba, she immigrated to the United States with her family in 1963 after the Cuban Revolution. Deedy grew up in Decatur, Georgia and currently lives in Atlanta and has three daughters.