Book Descriptions
for The Magic Doll by Adrienne Yabouza and Élodie Nouhen
From The United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY)
Told through young Adjoa's voice, this heartfelt tale of love and faith centers upon Adjoa's special birth. Adjoa details how her parents, Ama and Kwame sought the assistance of an Akua'ba fertility and protection doll, nicknamed “Dolly.” Ama treated “Dolly” like her own child, carrying it on her back to the market, bathing and adorning it with jewelry, and sharing her wishes for a child. Much to everyone's delight, “what was meant to happen actually happened” (unpaged), and more than once! Information about the Akua'ba dolls and the book creators' connections to these dolls offer important cultural context and history.
Author is from the Central African Republic and is of Yakoma heritage. Illustrator lives in France.
Central African Republic. Originally published in French as Une Poupée pour Maman by L'Élan Vert in 2019. English translation by Paul Kelly published in the United States by Prestel Verlag/ Verlagsgruppe Random House GmbH in 2020.
© USBBY, 2022. Used with permission.
From the Publisher
Families of all kinds will appreciate this simple tale of love and longing, motherhood and magic.
In a small village in West Africa, a young girl explains the special way she was born. Her mother had difficulty getting pregnant, so she seeks help in the form of a doll which she treats like a human baby, carrying it on her back and covering it with kisses. Months go by and finally the woman's belly begins to grow! This beautiful story explores the Akua-Ba fertility figures of the Akan people of Ghana, while also depicting the deep love a mother has for her children. Élodie Nouhen's subtle, gorgeous illustrations combine collage and prints that are reminiscent of traditional African art, while remaining uniquely contemporary. Each spread communicates the look and feel of West Africa--the blazing yellow of the sun, the deep blue of the sky, the richly patterned textiles, and vibrant flora and fauna. Adrienne Yabouza's text echoes the rhythms of life in her homeland--the Central African Republic. The book closes with a short introduction to African art and the importance of fertility statues in African cultures.
In a small village in West Africa, a young girl explains the special way she was born. Her mother had difficulty getting pregnant, so she seeks help in the form of a doll which she treats like a human baby, carrying it on her back and covering it with kisses. Months go by and finally the woman's belly begins to grow! This beautiful story explores the Akua-Ba fertility figures of the Akan people of Ghana, while also depicting the deep love a mother has for her children. Élodie Nouhen's subtle, gorgeous illustrations combine collage and prints that are reminiscent of traditional African art, while remaining uniquely contemporary. Each spread communicates the look and feel of West Africa--the blazing yellow of the sun, the deep blue of the sky, the richly patterned textiles, and vibrant flora and fauna. Adrienne Yabouza's text echoes the rhythms of life in her homeland--the Central African Republic. The book closes with a short introduction to African art and the importance of fertility statues in African cultures.
Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.
