In many African villages, tales, adventures, myths and allegories whetted the evenings. Children were fed every evening with dosages of any of these. However, this tradition has been lost to modernisation. These days, children are permanently glued to cartoon networks.
In Kololo, written by an esteemed author and film director of repute, Dr Victor Okhai, the book happily provides a canvas for painting the lost African heritage. Written with millions of children in Africa in mind, anyone who reads the book will identify Okhai’s attempt to preserve a lost tradition and cultural values, especially, in areas such as: giving, accommodating and respect for human person.
Published by Accessible Publishers Limited, formerly Rasmed Publications limited, Kololo tells an engrossing story about a very young boy named Kololo who finds it very hard to share what he has, notwithstanding the generous nature of his parents. However, he learned his lessons the hard way.
Set in an unnamed village not far from the big city, Jinka and his wife, Lona, are kind hearted and ready to give out from the little they have. Jinka and Lona are well loved by all in the village, as they always had food ready for any hungry person that stopped by. They also had a spare room with a big bed and warm clothing for any homeless wanderer that may stop by for the night.
Kololo is a sharp contrast to what his parents stand for. He is greedy and not caring. He lives out the world of only child: Selfish.
“Why should I share my things with anyone?” he would always grumble.” He believes as the only child, everything belongs to him.
The 36-page book of fiction follows the young boy’s futile desire to be on his own — Living in his own world, not sharing anything with anybody. However, it is in the forest that he discovers that the eco space is best when everyone joins hand to protect it. For Kololo, this knowledge comes from a chimpanzee, which though denied love by him, does not reciprocate with evil.
With beautiful illustrations and easy-to-read diction, this amazing story teaches important moral lessons to children. The text of a children’s book is usually organised into simple sentences and short paragraphs. And Okhai has not made the mistake of going contrary. His organisation is sufficient for the story that this book is telling. He employs literary tools to help make the story more vivid in the readers’ minds.
Although this novel is considered fiction, children can easily relate to the characters in the novel.
It is a perfect fit for Children Literature not Literature for Children.
In addition to teaching children to not give up, the novel gives children a look at life in Nigeria. The author gives an insight to children across the world what life in Nigeria is like. By using words and discussing cultural practices in Nigeria, he helps children begin understanding the idea of humanity at an early age rather than later.
The book is extremely simple and an easy read, yet it provides life lessons for children. The book does well in tying in cultural ideas into a story interesting for children. It is important for children to understand that they can overcome their challenges and keep going, which Okhai helps promote through this novel. He perfectly creates an enjoyable children’s novel that inspires children to achieve their goals by overcoming challenges in their lives.
The book deals with some important topical issues, raising challenging questions about the world children growing up in Africa today will inherit. It also placed a spotlight on family dynamics and constructions of childhood in ways that encourage readers to think about children’s feature in African culture.
