It is the story of kimeli naiyomah of the maasai people of kenya, who witnessed the terrorist attacks on the world trade center while studying medicine in america. The maasai wish is that every time americans hear this simple story of fourteen cows, they will find a measure of comfort and peace, kimeli adds. The masai wish is that every time americans hear the simple story of 14 cows, they will find a measure of comfort and peace. Carmen agra deedy shares the incredible story that she helped tell in her book 14 cows for america. Following the events of september 11, 2001, a young maasai man named kimeli who had been studying in new york returns home to kenya deeply affected by what happened. With the stunning paintings of thomas gonzalez, master storyteller carmen agra deedy hits. The power of this remarkable, moving story lies ultimately in its truth, and an endnote from kimeli naiyomahthe maasai man in the story relates the events told with spare. While school library journal recommends this book for grades 14, i would read it to grades 3 and up, including middle school students, as a way to introduce the subject of preservation of our natural resources. Goodreads members who liked 14 cows for america also liked. Find books like 14 cows for america from the worlds largest community of readers.
The book takes us to a remote village of the maasai in kenya. Heres a video report about the masai tribes gift after. The herd of cows has grown and now are protected in kenya as a symbol of hope. Download 14 cows for america online book pdf gtstesverres.
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the publication of the new york times bestselling picture book 14 cows for america, peachtrees president and publisher margaret quinlin reflects on the creation and development of the book. The illustrations are so powerful, present such a powerful message. According to the book 1 4 cows for america, the american cows multiplied and numbered 35 at the time of its publication in 2009. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. Thomas gonzalez in june of 2002, a ceremony begins in a village in western kenya. As kimeli nears his village, he watches a herd of bull giraffes cross the open grassland.
Students will describe the most important actions taken by the members of the maasai tribe in response to the story they are told, and explain why the maasai took those actions. They are a people of great heart and they chose to give a gift to the people of the united states. With the stunning paintings of thomas gonzalez, master storyteller carmen agra deedy hits all the right notes in this elegant story of. A mere nine months have passed since the september 11 attacks, and hearts are raw. What was your reaction the first time you saw the work that would become 14 cows for america a. This is deeply affecting story of a young maasai man who, while studying abroad in america, returns to his home and tells the story of the september. 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. The maasai people thought hard about this terrible thing. This is a story that crosses vast oceans and glaringly different cultures to warm the hearts of american readers. Kimeli is back he tells a story than he travels to the united sates a declares 14 cows of america. The people of his tribe want to do something for the people of america, and one by one villagers step forward to offer a cowto the maasai the cow is life. This book conveys the answer in a most wonderful way. In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the publication of the new york times bestselling picture book 14 cows for america, peachtrees president and publisher margaret quinlin reflects on the creation and development of the book q. Read aloud another book about making a sacrifice to help someone in need, and ask the students to compare this story to 14 cows for america.
Download 14 cows for america online book pdf download 14 cows for america online book pdf in june of 2002, a very unusual ceremony begins in a farflung village in western kenya. Kenya under the guidance of the revered elder mzee oleyiampoi, the reallife kimeli reveals in a note at books end. Jensen book shipped it carefully, quickly, and the description was accurate for the great condition of the book. You can view a book trailer, be introduced to the book s team. Books for young people national council for social studieschildrens book council, 2010.
An american diplomat is surrounded by hundreds of maasai people. Following the events of september 11, 2001, a young maasai man named kimeli who had. In june of 2002, a very unusual ceremony begins in a farflung village in western kenya. She has also contributed to national public radios weekend all things considered and latino usa. We then learn the story of the how the 14 cows became a gift for america. Sep 15, 2018 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 hopeand friendship.
Ages 1418 and adults while i do believe that this book is also appropriate for younger children because of its theme of compassion, i chose youth and adults because they would have some type of memories of the events of september. To the maasai people cows represent life and the tribe gives cows to the american people. Kimeli naiyomah, a member of the village who moved to america describes the horrors of 911 to the members of his community. Skip navigation links my resources 14 cows for america. Aug 01, 2009 14 cows for america is a new offering from peachtree publishers and an interesting angle on the history of 911 which is a moment we should remember and keep talking about. 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 hopeand friendship. Ages 14 18 and adults while i do believe that this book is also appropriate for younger children because of its theme of compassion, i chose youth and adults because they would have some type of memories of the events of september. Once the maasai people of kenya were powerful warriors. Hundreds of maasai surround an american diplomat to bestow a gift on the american people. For a heartsick nation, the gift of fourteen cows emerges from the choking dust and darkness as a soft light of hope and friendship. The gift is as unsought and unexpected as it is extraordinary. A free copy of the book is available for all those who lost family members on september 11, 2001. 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.
Kimelis story is featured in a childrens book 14 cows for america. Ive read many books about september 11, but this one is completely different from any other. After september 11, 2001, a small village in kenya learns of the tragedy in new york. A gift is about to be bestowed on the american men, women, and children, and he is there to accept it. In a powerful new childrens book from carmen agra deedy, this true story recounts the gift of hope, generosity and compassion one small kenyan village made to the american people in the face of. Carrie comes by her book obsession honestly, having descended from a long line of bibliophiles. The cows have calved, increasing the sacred herd to over 35. This inspired her to write the story book, 14 cows for america, in collaboration with kemeli naiyomah. Often a first look at a manuscript requires seeing beyond. This book was about an african tribe vowing to keep 14 cows sacred for america. Nov 08, 2009 kimeli explains the purpose of this charming book. Read what others are saying about it, and explore more activities related to the book in a teachers guide.
Here is a story that crosses vast oceans and glaringly different cultures, to warm the hearts of american readers 14 cows for america, by carmen agra deedy, is a beautiful story of comfort and healing during americas darkest hour. What is the main idea of the 14 cows of america answers. This book presents an illustrated tale of a gift of fourteen cows given by the maasai people of kenya to the u. I was very touched by this story and glad to have a way to share it with my students. May 23, 2017 according to the book 1 4 cows for america, the american cows multiplied and numbered 35 at the time of its publication in 2009. Not just another wild goose story, tree man, the library dragon, the last dance, the secret of old zeb, the yellow star, and fourteen cows for america. Michele keltner, principal at desoto trail elementary school, reads 14 cows for america by carmen agra deedy in cooperation with wilson. Children and adults are invited to share in this inspirational message of connections that transcend oceans and cultural divides the story of 14 cows for america. A mere nine months have passed since the september 11 attacks, and hearts. In june of, a ceremony begins in a village in western ken. A girl sitting under a guava tree sees him first and cries out to the others. In 14 cows for america, carmen agra deedy, in collaboration with wilson kimeli naiyomah, tells the true tale of kenyan villagers after the horrific events of 911. Carmen agra deedys 14 cows for american is the true heartwrenching story of wilson. One day they heard about the tragedy of september 11,2001.
There is also an image of a flag that commemorates this event which is now on display at the us embassy in kenya. It is a picture book with a serious message a true story about the maasai people and their contribution of 14 cows to help the citizens of the united states after the september 11 disaster. It is great for younger children since the pictures tell the story and. This lovely picture book tells a true story about masai villagers who bestow a heartfelt gift after 911. This astonishing new picture book tells the incredibly moving true story of a small masai village in kenya whose residents banded together to send aid to america in the aftermath of 911. For more on this title, visit the 14 cows for america website here. Deedys 14 cows for america is perfect for a wide range of grade levels. The masai wish is that every time americans hear the simple story of 14 cows, they will find a. Welcome to the online home of the childrens book, 14 cows for america. Thomas gonzalez agreed to do the paintings for the book, which came out stunningly beautiful with rich hues of oranges and browns, and blues and greens, capturing the modest nobility of the maasai people and the distinctive landscape of the.
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