Lantana (5+) 9781915244802 (Hardback)
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Life on the plantation is strict and harsh for Nemy. However, messages are woven into the braids of the characters whose strength and beauty are highlighted through radiant skin tones. There’s a strong sense of place throughout the book. Light and shadow is used to great effect and use of guttering provides a powerful separation between those who are enslaved upon the plantation and those who are enslavers. Subtle details throughout reward rereading.
Themes:
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Oboh Moses is a black digital illustrator who has been passionate about art since he was seven years old. In 2021, his work was selected for the American Illustration 40th Anniversary Annual. He lives and works in Lagos, Nigeria.
I love this book because it is heartbraking💔.
Lyla
DA Gladiators
The book is about slaves braiding each other’s hair. It is about Nemy and big mother and how they want freedom. The story takes place in America, where African people were taken to be slaves. The braids have meanings and help the slaves escape so they can be free. The story made us feel hopeful. The pictures gave an impression of secrets and a hard life before they escape, but when they arrive in the free village, everyone looks happy and it made us happy too.
Elianna and Anouk
Sandroyd Bookivores
5 star book! I loved the idea of putting seeds in braids for saf-keeping!
Zene
Danum Doodlers Does Books
The book was mostly about Nemy and Big mother’s group escaping from their boss farm where they were slaves, with their signals which were secret braids. My favourite part of freedom braids was when Nemy and Big mother’s group were braiding their hair to make a meaning, because it made me feel how we could communicate in different ways even with braids! I thought the illustration was a very good because it showed real passion of the author’s artwork and it made the whole book like a real old film. The pictures also made me understand about their personality and setting.The first picture really took my attention because of the azure sky and all the detail in faces and grass. The illustrations and no complexity made it very enjoyable and I could read freedom braids 5 times without getting bored and I did! I definitely recommend reading freedom braids if you are young or if you are into art.
Tomonori
Sandroyd Bookivores
I really loved the illustrations in the book, Freedom Braids. The images were exactly what i imagined in the stories my family used to tell me when i was younger. As i read the part where they were braiding each others hair, i got this sense of nostalgia. It reminded me of when my mom would braid my hair and tell me stories at night. The moon would shine and me and my siblings would sit right next to my mom, on the outside of my house. The cold breeze, the birds chirping on the trees, and the moon shining bright while she explained what each hairstyle meant and how our ancestors fought for freedom, how we should be proud of ourselves. This book represented all theses feelings and did it wonderfully. I would definitely recommend this book to all my friends and family, especially those who might have had a similar background to mine.
Tehilah
Busy Bee Readers
The book was so informative. I loved the beautiful design of braids and enjoyed learning about the history of braids. The art was amazing and easily understood. This book was a wonderfully presented and I enjoyed reading it!
Salma
Bellerive Bookies and Cookies
Looooove this book. it has so much meaning but very little words. it doesnt say what it means but it means what is says- no words are needed. clearly uses words to bring the message without directly saying it.
Ariel
Belsize Stories
A book telling how braids were used to help slaves escape.But for younger kids.
netanel
Belsize Stories
It is an interesting book. I consider recommending it.
D
Ocklynge Readers
the story is about the african slave trade. the braids are a way out and i feel that the pictures captivate the story a lot better.
Rafi
Belsize Stories
It shows how people can come together and work as a team, to gain their freedom. How that being creative is a skill that can lead to survival, like the braiding that were secretly maps to their escape. It also shows that racism has no place in society and that we should rise against this in our own lives. I liked how there was a message of not giving up was throughout the book as well.
Tessa
Brockhill Book Club
I think that this book was quite good as it shows what happens in history very well. The braids shown their culture and how it helped them. I think this book would help many people understand the history of the Black community and what their braids mean to them. I learnt a lot from the book that I wouldn't study in my History lessons at school so that was incredibly interesting.
Jack
Brockhill Book Club
A book about a girl who basically finds freedom through braiding. They escape and go back to the village, but keep their spirits up by braiding each others hair. It is a lot about African enslavement and being taken away from their families. I think it also touches on the idea of culture and the traditions that have been passed down through generations. Overall, I think this book is very inspirational and quite exciting to read, I think that the pictures really bring the story to life. I like that there is a strong message of being together and overcoming adversity.
Eva
Brockhill Book Club