Sue Farrell Holler,
Lacey and the African Grandmothers (Kids Power Books Series)
Second Story Press, 2009

Rating: E*

A heart warming story inspired by a real life, charitable organization, Grandmothers to Grandmothers through the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Lacey Little Bird, a First Nations Blackfoot, learns how to turn her newly learned traditional craft into a helping hand for aboriginal children in Africa. Lacey lives on the Sikiska Blackfoot Reserve in Alberta with her parents and her siblings. She enjoys spending time with her Grandmother and learns about traditional culture and arts, beading and sewing during her visits.

When she learns about the Grandmothers to Grandmothers program through a teacher at the Sequoia Outreach School, Lacey writes a letter to the organization to offer her help, despite her own limited means. An enterprising girl, she gathers together resources and assistance to begin creating handbags to sell to support the Grandmothers endeavours. She is rewarded by a letter from the African Grandmothers who come to visit the aboriginal community to meet Lacey and the village Grandmothers. By her actions, Lacey makes a difference - in her own life, in her community and in the lives of children in a far away country. She builds self esteem and pride in her abilities while giving to others.

A wonderful recreational read as well as a useful classroom resource for literature circles, character development curriculum, citizenship and community studies.

Thematic Links: Giving to Others; Self-Esteem

Sharon Armstrong
Vol. 15, number 3
February 2010

*Rating System:
E - Excellent, enduring, everyone should see it!
G - Good, even great at times, generally useful!
A - Average, all right, has its applications.
P - Problematic, puzzling, poorly presented.