Meeting the Author
Posted by Trésor KayumbaBaba Wagué Diakite, the author and illustrator of a memoir about an African childhood, beautifully wrote a highly informative and educational memoir. In his book A Gift from Childhood he sprinkled in profound African proverbs and other values in order to teach folks about his experience in Mali. Below, students reflect on a skype conversation with him.
Ruth said,
“I thought the book was a great experience for my 5th grade year. I learned a lot about different cultures, I also learned about the differences between African, and American traditions. I thought the conversation was good because we got to ask questions and have a good conversation with Mr. Wague. I personally thought that the book was easy to understand. I also thought it was helpful to have conversations as a class, and share our thoughts and experiences while reading the book.”
Robert reflects,
“Before we Skyped with Baba Wague, we had come up with questions to ask him. We talked about his childhood and African traditions and cultures. He talked to us why he started writing stories, and publishers are not willing to accept some of the subject matters he covers in children books, subjects like death, sicknesses, and other life experiences are talked about to children openly. In the book we read in class, A Gift from Childhood, these topics were included. At a young age, Baba Wague experienced his younger cousin’s death.”
This is an experience the students will cherish for years to come.
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