AWARDS
2014 Creative Child Award Preferred Choice Kids Books Category, Winner, 2014
REVIEWS
Kirkus Reviews
Reviewed on 15 July 2014
Themed alphabet books are like the Little Engine that Could—they just keep on comin’.
This one is based on the author/illustrator’s personal experience in Kenya. A young man named Kay Kay promises the children at a new school in his village that he will paint the plain white walls with animals from A to Z. As he walks along looking for inspiration, he meets groups of animals too busy at playing “jackstones” or reading riddles to help. They are obvious (to readers) choices, though Kay Kay doesn’t realize it. As he continues his jaunt, each threesome of animals joins in the trek behind him, ending in a complete animal alphabet. The animals he encounters are highlighted in green: “ ‘Kay Kay, come dance with us!’ shouted Baboon, Crocodile, and Dragonfly.” Most of these animals are relatively familiar, with the possible exceptions of Nyala, Quagga, Upupa Bird, Vervet and Xerus Squirrel. The loosely energetic, cartoon illustrations are lively with capricious details. The backmatter includes a glossary of typical Swahili words such as “please” and “bathroom,” as well as such comic phrases as “My brother picks his nose” and “No more broccoli, thank you.” There is also an author’s note, photos of the real Kay Kay and the Star of Hope School, and a map, but unfortunately there is no key to the animal names.
Kids will enjoy the silliness, and there’s lots of potential for the classroom. (Picture book. 6-8)
Mama’s Bacon
Reviewed on August 7, 2014
This book starts out, “Kay Kay lives in the village of Bungoma in the country of Kenya…….” which is what first caught Brooke’s and my attention and out came the maps. We have talked about the continents and the countries and the cities and the states, but have yet to cover all countries and Kenya was new for us. Very cool!
So what’s the best way to introduce community service and the alphabet? Well, writing letters to those in need and those who are sick. Luckily, Brooke and I did both!
Kay Kay’s Alphabet Safari is the true story of a man who passed by the Star of Hope school and noticed that the walls were all white. Kay Kay was an artist and thought he could paint a picture for each letter of the alphabet to correspond to the animals in Kenya. This is an alphabet safari adventure at its finest and the elements of volunteering and supporting others will not be lost on the kids and parents who read this book together. Awesome book for kids just learning to write, too!
Washington Parent
Reviewed November 2014
Kay Kay is a Kenyan cab driver and artist who decorates the walls of the new village school. His alphabet-themed inspiration comes from the surrounding African animals, including a tea-swilling elephant, cloud-gazing rhino and galloping warthog. The surprise ending is fresh and funny, as the children help Kay Kay decide who or what should represent the letter "K" (Kay Kay!). Back matter enriches this engaging book with a glossary of Swahili terms and photos. There is also an author's note about the real Kay Kay and the Bungoma school upon which this story is based. Asante sana (thank you) to author/illustrator Dana Sullivan for this entertaining, educational abecedary and for a glimpse at school life on another continent.
San Francisco Book Review
Reviewed October 13, 2014
In Kay Kay’s village of Bungoma, a new school has just been built! But the white walls seem so empty… so Kay Kay decides to paint them with an alphabet of animals. But what should he paint? How will he ever come up with a list of all the animals from A to Z? Kay Kay goes for a walk to think about this problem, but all of his animal friends keep trying to distract him. How will he ever find the inspiration he needs if he can’t get time to just think? Maybe he needs to just stop and look around, because he is surrounded by all of the inspiration he needs!
Dana Sullivan Writer/Illustrator • danajsullivan@comcast.net
206/779-9855
Kay Kay’s
Alphabet Safari
Sleeping Bear Press
August 2014
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