Kidogo

Before we begin the story, we learn that Kidogo in Kiswahili means little. And the illustrations tell us that Kidogo is a little elephant. This is a tale of growing up, but also it is about accepting one’s position in the family. It is told in the most beautiful, poetic language. Enjoy the built-in pauses for absorbing the visual feasts… a vast world, skilfully portrayed by the author/illustrator, as seen through the eyes of Kidogo. The strong family structure of the extended elephant family is clearly shown in text and picture, as the little elephant determines to learn to do all the things his family helps him do… but independently. Some pages bear short sentences followed by a sequence of pictures which need to be ‘read’. This mix of truncated text and explicit pictures works admirably, and the feeling when the story is read is one of awe, wonder and satisfaction! The book is magnificently produced.