GREAT READS

14 Cows for America

Carmen Agra Deedy; in collaboration with Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah; illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez

Question: How can 14 cows be a gift of comfort and friendship, especially for a country as big as America? The answer: When given as a gift from the Maasai village in Kenya, Africa.

Nine months after the tragedies of September 11, 2001, the Maasai tribe learned of the sad story from a member returning from America. To offer comfort in their own way, the Maasai people gave 14 of their precious cows to America. To the Maasai cows mean life. It was a very meaningful gift from a small village to a powerful nation. The magnificent illustrations make you feel like you were there, taking part in this touching event.

Recommended by Barbara Jannaman