Project Description
14 Vacas para América
English Edition: 14 Cows for America
by Carmen Agra Deedy
illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez
in collaboration with Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah
In June of 2002, a very unusual ceremony begins in a far-flung village in western Kenya. An American diplomat is surrounded by hundreds of Maasai people. A gift is about to be bestowed upon the American men, women, and children, and he is there to accept it. The gift is as unexpected as it is extraordinary.
A mere nine months have passed since the September 11 attacks, and hearts are raw as these legendary Maasai warriors offer their gift to a grieving people half a world away. Word of the gift will travel newswires around the globe, and for the heartsick American nation, the gift of fourteen cows emerges from the choking dust and darkness as a soft light of hope―and friendship.
This New York Times best seller recounts the true story from Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah of a touching gift bestowed on the United States by a tribe of Maasai Warriors in the wake of the September 11th attacks. With the stunning paintings of Thomas Gonzalez, master storyteller Carmen Agra Deedy hits all the right notes in this elegant story of generosity that crosses boundaries, nations, and cultures.
Price: $17.95
ISBN: 978-1-56145-550-8
Publication Date: 8/1/2010
Page Count: 36
Size: 11-5/8″ x 10″
Age Range: 6 – 10
Language: Spanish
Price: $8.95
ISBN: 978-1-56145-555-3
Page Count: 36
Size: 11-5/8″ x 10″
Age Range: 6 –10
Language: Spanish
Lexile: 480L
Themes: September 11, Compassion, the Maasai, Generosity
BISAC 1: JNF025250 JUVENILE NONFICTION / History / United States / 21st Century
BISAC 2: JNF038010 JUVENILE NONFICTION / People & Places / Africa
BISAC 3: JNF000000 JUVENILE NONFICTION / General
Reviews
“A lovely picture book… beautifully evocative…” ―Nicholas Kristof, The New York Times
“Moving and dramatically illustrated…” ―The Wall Street Journal
“Elegant sentences… The suspenseful pace is especially striking when surrounded by Gonzalez’s exquisite colored pencil and pastel illustrations. The colors of Kenya explode off the page.” ―School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
“A moving tale of compassion and generosity.” ―Publishers Weekly
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“A stirring, heartwarming tale that made headlines when it happened – and is now, thankfully, preserved on the page for children.” ―Kirkus Reviews
“The words and the glowing mixed-media illustrations show empathy and connections across communities…” ―Booklist
“I dare you to read this special picture book without getting teary every time.” ―Library Media Connection, STARRED REVIEW
“It could generate some excellent discussion in classrooms and families.” ―Huffington Post
“We believe that a book like 14 Cows for America can be used to advance standards-based learning in the early grades…it offers an introduction both to the events of 9/11 and to the culture of a people thousands of miles away who extended sympathy to the people of the United States.” ―Social Education Magazine
“An extraordinary true story of generosity, compassion and hope, 14 Cows for America is rich on multiple levels for young and old alike.” ―“Books to Borrow, Books to Buy”
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Awards
Best Children’s Books of the Year (Starred) – Bank Street College of Education, 2010
Notable Books for a Global Society – International Reading Association, 2010
E.B. White Read-Aloud Honor – Association of Booksellers for Children, 2010
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People – National Council for Social Studies/Children’s Book Council, 2010
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Teachers’ Choices (Intermediate) – International Reading Association, 2010
Parents’ Choice Gold Award – Parents’ Choice Foundation, 2009
CCBC Choices (Historical People, Places and Events) – Cooperative Children, 2010
Cybils (Finalist, Non-fiction Picture Books) – Cybils, 2009
Comstock Book Award – Minnesota State University Moorhead, 2010
Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Intermediate) – Kansas National Education Association, 2010
Texas Bluebonnet Award (Master List) – Texas Library Association, 2010-2011
Young Hoosier Book Award (Nominee, Intermediate) – Association for Indiana Media Educators, 2011-2012
California Young Reader Medal (Nominee, Picture Book for Older Readers) – California Library Association, CRA, CATE, CSLA, 2013-2014
Beehive Award (Information Book Nominee) – Children’s Literature Association of Utah, 2011
Bill Martin, Jr. Picture Book Award (Nominee) – Kansas Reading Association, 2011
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (Nominee, Picture Book) – Maryland Association of School Librarians, 2010-2011
Bluestem Book Award (Master List) – Illinois School Library Media Association, 2012
Charlotte Award Suggested Reading List (Primary) – New York State Reading Association, 2012
Colorado Children’s Book Award (Nominee) – Colorado Council of the International Reading Association, 2011
Georgia Children’s Picture Storybook Award (Nominee) – University of Georgia, 2012-2013
Great Lakes’ Great Books Award (Nominee, Grades 2-3) – Michigan Reading Association, 2010-2011
KC3 Reading Program (Nominee) – Greater Kansas City Association of School Librarians, 2011-2012
Land of Enchantment Book Awards (Picture Narrative Master List) – New Mexico Library Association, New Mexico Council of IRA, 2011-2012
North Carolina’s Children’s Book Award (Nominee, Junior Book) – North Carolina Reading Association, 2011
Prairie Pasque Children’s Book Award (Nominee) – South Dakota Library Association, SDRC, SD State Library, SDESP, 2011-2012
South Carolina Picture Book Award (Nominee) – South Carolina Association of School Librarians, 2011-2012
Volunteer State Book Awards (Master List, Grades PreK-2) – Tennessee Association of School Librarians, 2013-2014
Best Books for Kids (Multicultural Category) – Page Ahead, 2010
Read Alouds Too Good to Miss – AISLE, 2011-2012
Selected Book for Georgia – National Book Festival, 2009
Society of School Librarians International Book Awards (Honor Book, Social Studies, Grades K-6) – Society of School Librarians International 2010.
UMW Reading Program – United Methodist Women 2012
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Meet the Author
Carmen Agra Deedy, a New York Times bestselling author, has been writing and traveling around the world telling stories for more than twenty years. Her books have received numerous awards and honors. Carmen has performed in many prestigious venues, but children are her favorite audience. Born in Havana, Cuba, she came to the United States as a refugee and like most immigrants sees the world from multiple perspectives. She lives in Georgia. You can visit her website here.
Meet the Illustrator
Thomas Gonzalez is an illustrator, designer, and portrait artist. A native of Cuba, Tom came to the United States when he was ten years old. He studied at the Atlanta School of Art (now called Savannah of Art and Design). After working at the Coca-Cola Company for more than twenty years, Tom held several creative positions with other global brands. He has illustrated many picture books, including 14 Cows for America, Seven and a Half Tons of Steel, and Countdown. He lives in Georgia. You can visit his website here.
Additional Contributors
Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah received his master of science degree in molecular biology from Stanford University in 2008. He was awarded a Rotary International World Peace Fellowship and completed studies in international development policy at Duke University.
