Blog Book Tour for " Amadi's Snowman" - Day Three

Now that we have seen the review of Amadi's Snowman and talked with the author, I would like to tell you a little about Katia.

Author Katia Novet Saint-Lot grew up in Paris but spent her summers visiting her mother's family in Spain. She has also lived in the U.K. and the U.S. Her husband's work for UNICEF took them to Nigeria, and their experiences there provided the background for Amadi's story. They now live in India with their two daughters. As a child, Katia loved reading more than anything else. She also dreamed of becoming a writer and longed for travels to faraway places—she's now busy living her dreams with her family.

And now, to complete this tour I would like to offer readers an Amadi's Snowman book giveway. I have two signed copies to offer you. If you would like a copy of this title please drop me a line.

Blog Book Tour for "Amadi's Snowman" - Day Two

Welcome to day two of the Amadi's Snowman book tour. Today I will be interviewing the author, Katia Novet Saint-Lot:

1) What inspired you to write this story?
My husband works for UNICEF, and one of their problems, when we lived in Nigeria was the number of boys who drop out of school to earn quick money doing street-business.

2) You have traveled all over the world. Why did you decide to set your story in Nigeria ?
As mentioned above, the story seed was planted and grew in Nigeria, and more specifically in the south-eastern part of the country, Igbo land, with its very strong trading tradition. Of course, the beauty of the story is that the theme of the reluctance to read is universal and can be transported anywhere. But Amadi could only be an Igbo boy.

3) Did you have a specific goal in mind when you wrote this book?
I don't think it works that way. I mean, I didn't set out to write a story that would explain the importance of reading to children. The problem my husband was facing spoke to me, and I kept thinking about it, and this boy started talking to me, basically, and the story, with Amadi's whole process - from being adamantly opposed to learning to read to actually making the decision that he will learn - evolved from there.

4) Did you base the character of Amadi on anyone in particular?
Not a one person, no. Amadi is my creation entirely.

5) I understand that you loved to read when you were young. What kinds of book did you like?
Anything I could land my hands on, I think. Although I did love adventure stories : The Three Musketeers and most books by Alexandre Dumas were my favorites. I also loved Enid Blyton's books.

6) What do you think parents and other caregivers can do to help their children grow to love books?
Be avid readers themselves. Children who start reading are still at the age where they want to emulate their parents. If Mom and/or Dad spend a lot of time reading, it's got to be the thing to do. And reading a lot to them, also, of course. And respecting books. I always tell my children to treat their books well, as they are among the best friends they'll make in life.

Thank you for this interview Katia!

Blog Book Tour for "Amadi's Snowman" - Day One

For the next three days I am going to be featuring the book Amadi's Snowman, which was written by Katia Novet Saint-Lot

Let's begin with my review of the book:

Amadi’s Snowman
Katia Novet Saint-Lot
Illustrated by Dimitrea Tokunbo
Picture Book
Ages 4 to 8
Tilbury House, 2008, 0-88448-298-7
Amadi is not pleased when his mother tells him that Mrs. Chikodili will be arriving soon to teach him how to read. Amadi is an Igbo man of Nigeria who will be a trader, a “businessman” when he grows up. He does not think that a businessman should have to learn how to read, and so, when the opportunity presents itself, Amadi runs off.
Soon Amadi is in the market, a place that he loves. He eats a mango that he is given, and then he sees his friend Chima sitting on the ground next to a book stall. Chima has a book in his lap and he appears to be reading it. When he looks at the book Amadi sees a picture of a strange “animal with a nose that looked like a carrot.” Chima tells Amadi that the creature in the picture is something called a snowman and that it is made of “frozen rainwater.”
Amadi is surprised that Chima has been learning to read. Why would his friend want to do such a thing? Chima explains that he wants to “know more.” After all, if Chima had not read the book, then he and Amadi would not know about snow.
As they day unfolds Amadi discovers that reading not only allows you to learn new things, but reading might in fact be useful for a businessman.
Often children are very sure that they know what is right. They don’t need to learn math because they are not going to use numbers when they grow up. They don’t need to learn history because history has no relevance to life today. In this case Amadi believes that he does not need to read – until he realizes that reading will allow him to learn about all kinds of fascinating things. Through Amadi’s eyes children who think that reading and books are boring will see that reading allows people to discover all kinds of remarkable things about their world. Written from Amadi’s point of view, this picture book has a powerful message to share with children. No only will they be reminded of the value of reading and books, but they will also see that children around the world are very much the same. The voice that the author creates for Amadi is very convincing and, in its own way, eloquent.

Join me tomorrow for an interview with the author of this meaningful picture book.