MUKTAR AND THE CAMELS

Muktar’s parents died in Somalia, but he has not forgotten his nomadic life, caring for the camels that were the source of his family’s livelihood. When three camels laden with books walk into the courtyard of the rural Kenyan orphanage where he lives now, the unhappy boy, always lost in memories and chided by his teacher for laziness, finds a new way of using his skills: He will become the new assistant to Mr. Mohamed, the man who manages the unusual bookmobile. The author tells the story succinctly and without any audience-limiting brutality about the war that has orphaned Muktar. Mack’s oils do justice to the orphanage setting and the camels that deliver the books, but the human figures—especially their faces—are sometimes awkward and stiff. Muktar’s enthusiasm, knowledge and talent with camels will attract young readers, and the story of the unusual delivery system will engage those who delight in knowing that children everywhere benefit from free library services. (maps, author’s note) (Picture book. 5-9)