Synopsis
It is the first day of school in Chad, Africa. Children are filling the road. But when Thomas and the other children arrive at the schoolyard, they find no classroom, no desks. Just a teacher. "We will build our school," she says. "This is our first lesson." James Rumford, who lived in Chad as a Peace Corps volunteer, fills these pages with vibrant ink-and-pastel colors of Africa and the spare words of a poet to show how important learning is in a country where only a few children are able to go to school.- ★★★★★
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- Discuss this verse from the Quran in which Allah ﷻ tell us “O humanity! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may [get to] know one another. Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Allah is truly All-Knowing, All-Aware.” (49:13). Did you learn about a different culture and country by reading this story? How is the boy’s life similar to yours? How is it different? Why do you think Allah ﷻ asks us to “know one another”?
- Find Chad on a map. Which continent is it in?
Mindful Muslim Review
A gorgeously illustrated, endearing book teachers can use to start each school year with! Guided by their older siblings, exuberant young children head toward their first day of school. They learn the importance of working hard for what they want. This book earns our Gold Star as it teaches our children reverence and gratitude for things that may seem commonplace—a school building, the opportunity to seek knowledge, good teachers, lessons and learning tools (desks, pencils, notebooks). The book is also a great introduction to the country of Chad.
Teaching Tools
Genres: General Fiction
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company
*This review applies only to ISBN number noted above.
