Baby Goes To Market

Baby Goes To Market

ISBN13

9781406363432

Review published

30/08/2017

By Reviewer

Emily

Star Rating

(5)

By Author / Illustrator

Atinuke

Age range(s)

3+

Review

It's market day and Mama is carrying baby there to buy from the merchants. The market is busy, bustling with life, and baby makes friends with all the venders. As Mama busies herself, baby charms bananas from the Mrs Ade the banana-seller, oranges from Mr Femi the orange-seller and biscuits Mr Momo the biscuit-seller. Mama does not notice as baby takes one for himself and adds the other items he as acquired to the basket. Baby continues to smile and giggle as the market vendors supply him with roasted sweetcorn and coconut. Mama is unaware that her basket is growing heavier by the minute and only realises when she removes it from her head to make the journey home. Mama is so surprised! Five bananas, four oranges, three biscuits, two roasted sweetcorn and one piece of coconut. She did not buy these things! The stall holders laugh at Mama's surprise and finally let her in on the secret - they gave the items to baby! Mama is proud of how carefully he filled the basket with his goodies. They travel home with their basket laden with treats, but poor Mama is still not fully aware of all that went on at the market. She is under the impression that her little one has not eaten all this time! Atinuke, oral story teller and author, has done it again! Another gorgeous book full of african culture and wonderful rich story telling. The setting of this story is a typical West African market, the kind that is known and loved by both the author and illustrator, who both grew up there. The vibrant colours, the varieties of produce available, the generosity and kindness of the vendors, all these elements of market life are beautifully brought to life. Each page is full of details to draw in the reader and invite them to experience african life. Count along with baby as he takes one for himself and places the rest in the basket. Try to recall the items he has received as you journey around the market. Read the story quietly so that Mama doesn't find out that baby has been given so many treats. Notice how heavy the basket has become and react with surprise when the feast is discovered! Picture book / Ages 3+ / Reviewed by Emily Beale, teacher.