Bonyo Bonyo: The True Story of a Brave Boy from Kenya
When he was a child, Bonyo Bonyo’s baby sister died. That sad event was the start of a hopeful dream: someday he would build a hospital in his village in western Kenya. This first-person picture book narrative tells how young Bonyo was able to fulfill that dream through education obtained with steadfast support from his family despite the sacrifices required, and countless other acts of generosity and kindness. “In my village there was a word that meant togetherness. That word was ‘harambee.’ I will never forget how everyone helped me.” Bonyo attended medical school in Akron, Ohio (where he practices medicine today), and was able to return to Kenya fifteen years after leaving and turn his dream into a reality. He established a medical mission and a clinic in his home village named in honor of his mother. Illustrations rendered with heavy black lines and colorful hues provide the backdrop for this inspiring profile. A photograph of the real Bonyo and more information about his work in Kenya is included. ©2010 Cooperative Children's Book Center
Illustrated by Kristin Blackwood, Mike Blanc
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 7-10
Age Range:
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Formats:
Biography, Autobiography and Memoir
Picture book
Subjects:
Biography
Community
Education
Families
Kenyans and Kenyan Americans
Medicine
Diversity subject:
Black/African
Publisher:
VanitaBooks
Publish Year: 2010
Pages: 40
ISBN: 9780981971438
CCBC Location: Non-Fiction, 610 Oelschlager