NADIA L. HOHN is a writer and educator. Her first picture book, Malaika’s Costume, won the Helen Isobel Sissons Canadian Children’s Story Award and the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) Children’s Literature Award. She is also the author of Malaika’s Winter Carnival and Malaika’s Surprise, both illustrated by Irene Luxbacher; A Likkle Miss Lou: How Jamaican Poet Louise Bennett Coverley Found Her Voice, illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes; Harriet Tubman: Freedom Fighter, illustrated by Gustavo Mazali; and two titles in the Sankofa series — Music and Media. Nadia’s writing is inspired by her childhood memories, Jamaican heritage, Black culture, world travels, and social issues. She lives in Toronto.

 

Nadia L. Hohn's profile page

IRENE LUXBACHER est à la fois auteure, illustratrice et artiste. Elle a publié de nombreux livres d’activités artistiques et albums jeunesse dont Le jardin imaginaire de grand-papa, d’Andrew Larsen, mis en nomination pour le Prix du Gouverneur général dans la catégorie illustrations. Irene habite à Toronto où elle travaille actuellement à la création de nouveaux tableaux et albums.

 

IRENE LUXBACHER was nominated for the Governor General’s Award for her illustrations in Andrew Larsen’sThe Imaginary Garden (Le jardin imaginaire de grand-papa). She has illustrated several other picture books, including Mittens to Share (Une mitaine pour deux), The Heart’s Song (Le grand cœur de madame Lili), as well as her own picture books Once I Was a Bear (Lorsque j’étais un ours…) and Mattoo, Let’s Play! (Viens jouer, Matou!). She lives in Toronto, Ontario with her husband and young son. You can learn more about her work at www.ireneluxbacher.com.

Irene Luxbacher's profile page

• Commended, Commended TD Grade One Book Giveaway Selection, 2021
• Commended, Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year
• Runner-up, Américas Award Honorable Mention
• Commended, USBBY's Outstanding International Books List
• Commended, School Library Journal Best Books
• Winner, Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario Children's Literature Award
• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Children and Teens, starred selection
• Commended, OLA Best Bets Honourable Mention

The text is told in the colloquial voice of the little girl, and readers will quickly and easily feel a part of her circle. Carnival is an important holiday in many cultures, and it's good to have a picture book to celebrate it.

Horn Book

Malaika’s Costume is a highly recommended story that celebrates the different cultures of the world and the emotional journey of a young child.

CM Magazine

Hohn employs a unique style of voice that is both figuratively and literaly lyrical.

Canadian Children's Book News

Like a rainbow peacock itself, the illustrations in this book burst with a frenzy of colors and textures.

Booklist Online

A wholly earned celebration.

Kirkus

. . . an engaging, poignant story with exquisite taste and wonderful details.

Kinderlit

A fun choice for libraries seeking books about creativity in general or the Caribbean in particular.

School Library Journal

This is actually a realistic portrait of the consequences of global immigration and economics. But it’s also the story of how much little girls love their moms. Beautiful.

Globe and Mail

Malaika's Costume

It’s Carnival time. The first Carnival since Malaika’s mother moved to Canada to find a good job and provide for Malaika and her grandmother. Her mother promised she would send money for a costume, but when the money doesn’t arrive, will Malaika still be able to dance in the parade?

Indo-Caribbean students will connect to the story of the young girl who is waiting to be reunited with her mother who has moved to Canada. When teaching social studies, this book will help readers learn about Afrocentric identity, consider the diversity of families, the importance of carnival and cultural celebrations, and the specific bond between grandparent and grandchild. The idea of creating a costume is central to this story, thus inspiring students to share stories of costumes in their own lives.

Also available: Chin Chiang and the Dragon's Dance

Author available for school visits @Nadialhohn