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When Malaika finds out she is going to have a new baby brother or sister, she worries that her mother will forget about her. But a surprise arrives on Malaika’s birthday that gives her more reason to celebrate her family’s love.
It’s summertime, and Malaika and Adèle are enjoying playing carnival in their bright costumes, dancing and laughing in the sunshine. But when Mummy announces that they will soon have a new baby brother or sister, Malaika is unsure how to feel about another change in her family. Will Mummy forget about me?
Back at school, Malaika is excited to see her teacher and classmates, and makes friends with a new girl who has recently arrived from a faraway country, just like Malaika. Then on her birthday, a surprise arrives to remind Malaika of the importance of family, and the story ends with a celebration of her family’s love.
Malaika’s Surprise is filled with the same warmth and charm as the first two books in the series, with Nadia L. Hohn’s enchanting prose, written in a blend of standard English and Caribbean patois, and Irene Luxbacher’s colorful collage illustrations.
Key Text Features
glossary
key text features
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.4
Ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.3
Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.
“[A]n intimate and culturally rich picture book.” — Kirkus Reviews
“[A] joyful read.” — Huffington Post
“A warm portrayal of a loving, close-knit community.” — Horn Book
“[T]his picture book celebrates the expansion of a family we’ve grown to love.” — Quill & Quire
“An enjoyable, feel-good read for young children.” — School Library Journal
“Malaika’s beautiful interracial family and new friendships make this story a powerful one.” — Toronto Star
“Malaika’s Surprise offers a refreshing new sibling narrative … [the] joyful, textured illustrations are busy and inviting, like the other titles in this series, and the blend of English and Caribbean patois makes Malaika’s voice sing.” — Canadian Children's Book News
“Much of our lives, like Malaika's, involves change and a newness of circumstances. But what Malaika's Surprise demonstrates is that, though newness and change can be stressful because of the anticipation of the unknown, the reality is often not as bad as expected, especially with the knowledge that others care.” — CanLit for Little Canadians Blog
“Mailaka’s Surprise celebrates culture, friendship and family in a captivating, warm way.” — CM: Canadian Review of Materials
“Written in a combination of standard English and Caribbean patois, Hohn’s work celebrates family values and acceptance of cultural diversity. Bright and lively illustrations by Irene Luxbacher add to the book’s attraction.” — Winnipeg Free Press
“Hohn’s mastery of the craft command[s] a standing ovation.” — Cloud Lake Literary