THE GIRL WHO BURIED HER DREAMS IN A CAN by Tererai Trent and illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist is
We recently asked a couple of ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) members to review THE GIRL WHO BURIED HER DREAMS IN A CAN (Viking Penguin), an inspirational picture book autobiography by Tererai Trent and illustrated by Coretta Scott King Award winner Jan Spivey Gilchrist, and we’d like to share them with you today:
FIRST REVIEW
Trent, Dr. Tererai. The Girl Who Buried Her Dreams in a Can. Illus. by Jan Spivey Gilchrist. 38p. Viking. 2015. $17.99. ISBN 978-0-670-01654-9. Gr. 2-6. – Born in rural Zimbabwe, Tereraishokoramwari wanted nothing more than to be able to read and write like the boys in her village, but was told that it was impossible. However, her intelligence and determination, along with a little bit of outside help, make it “tinogona,” achievable. As young readers follow her tale from birth in a small village to the eventual fulfilling of her dream for education, they are drawn magnetically into Tererai’s inner life. They see the pain on her face as she hauls firewood, and hear the fire in her voice as she screams her outrage against inequality. Then they grin right along with her as she first begins to read. The combination of narrative and metaphor, combined with the occasional use of words in the Shona language, make this a moving and authentic story that will inspire girls worldwide. The gentle watercolors clearly convey her moods, using slightly darkened hues when she is sad or angry that brighten into yellows, blues, and violets as her dreams begin to be realized. Indeed, the illustrator’s use of light and color suffuse each page with added meaning. Tererai’s is not a straightforward path to success, and throughout the story, readers are easily caught up in her world and emotions. So it is with immense satisfaction we learn that dreams buried in a can in faraway Rhodesia, really do come true.
Kent State University
Kent, OH
SECOND REVIEW
When the girl was born, she was supposed to be a boy. The boy’s name was already picked out, but the girl’s grandmother still buried the birth cord deep in the red earth of Zimbabwe to be sure this girl would always remember her home. This girl did more than remember her home; she worked hard to make sure every girl in her home country had the chance for the education that was originally denied to her.
Meet Dr. Tererai Trent. This determined girl thirsted for knowledge and knew reading and writing would be the keys to everything else. She wasn’t allowed to go to school, but her brother, Tinashe, agreed to teach her, as long as she would keep it a secret. She loved learning and longed to someday see the exotic places she heard about, but more importantly, she never lost the dream of learning.
The girl’s mother told her to write down her dreams and bury them in the earth to help them grow. So the dreams were written: travel to America; earn the highest degree; and one day return home and give the gift of education to her people. When her dreams were fulfilled, she did return to her village and achieved what she had promised when she buried her dreams in a can in the red earth of Zimbabwe.
This inspiring true story is beautifully told and stunningly illustrated. The vivid watercolor paintings bring the words to life, and the words tell the power of dreaming.
Hawthorne Elementary School
Library Media Technology Specialist / REACH
Madison, WI 53714
We should add that both Dr. Tererai Trent and Jan Spivey Gilchrist are available for school visits.
May all your dreams be tinogona!
