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OSA'S PRIDE by Ann Grifalconi Kirkus Star

OSA'S PRIDE

illustrated by Ann Grifalconi

Pub Date: May 1st, 1990
ISBN: 0316328650
Publisher: Little, Brown

Another story of African village life from the creator of The Village of Round and Square Houses (1986, Caldecott Honor). Osa lives with her large, closely knit family on Gran'ma's coffee farm; hardly remembering her father—who went to war and never came home—she makes up stories about him: he was different, better than anyone else, a hero. When the other children weary of Osa's boasting, Gran'ma uses a picture cloth to tell her about Vain Girl, who doesn't know that people are laughing at her foolish, overweening behavior. Though Osa absorbs her lesson with implausible ease, the sorrow that underlies her pride gives this unusual depth, marvelously reflected in Grifalconi's glowing illustrations; her incandescent tones, gleaming from rich shadow, rival Ed Young's inspired use of color, while her characters' sturdy forms are rendered with deft simplicity. Beautiful book, warmhearted story, gentle lesson.