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.
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