Mama Elizabeti

I loved this book so much. Elizabeti is a young girl who has to take care of her younger brother Obedi because their mother had a new baby. The story shows how people in some areas of Africa have to live. The young girl at the beginning of the book is selfish because she is just a young child and she wants to play with her doll. Her mother makes her watch her brother because she couldn't watch two babies and get her work done. The story shows how the little girl is very frustrated at first because she is carrying her brother on her back, and at the same time trying to carry the water pail. She gets so aggravated that she decides to let her brother sit on the blanket while she gets some water back in the pail. When she comes back her show more brother is missing; Elizabeti starts to panic, out the corner of her eye she sees him walking. At this point, Elizabeti has an excellent idea, she ties the blanket around his waist, and she puts it on her hand to make sure her brother is following her. This book is incredible because at the end of the book the little girl is rocking her brother to sleep, and she looks at her doll and says that there will be plenty of time to play with her doll. We see her grow and mature in just a day. The little girl is selfish in the beginning but by the last page, she would rather hold her brother and care for him then play with her toys. The book is also helpful to teach children how other kids have to live all over the world. show less

Elizabeti is a big sister now, and it's time for her to help out more. Obedi is a handful, but no match for our smart little girl. Pretty soon he'll be helping, too, because that's how families grow together, especially in close-knit villages in rural Tanzania.

(I don't understand the complaint about "parentification" and "abuse" in that negative review.)

(avl. on openlibrary.org)

I saw this as a coming of age story. A young child suddenly has a huge responsibility of caring for a younger sibling. She soon learns that there is a huge difference between caring for her doll and a real baby. She struggles on the first day but adapts through trial and error. She now understands that her doll can wait, family is even better to love and cherish.

I absolutely adored reading this book. This book is about a young girl, Elizabeti that had many responsibilities on her shoulders. Elizabeti is a young girl that has to take part in taking care of her five year old brother as well as being responsible for chores. Eliabeti's mother had recently had a new baby sister and her mother needed her to take care of her toddler brother. This book definitely discusses the problems that many children face. Many children have to begin taking care of their younger siblings and sacrifice their time to play in order to help their family. I feel like this book definitely made me realize that many children whether they are in Africa or America, have to deal with tough situations in which they have to be show more responsible for another child at a young age. This book teaches children that have issues in their families to stay positive and strong as Elizabeti did in the story. show less

Elizabeti has a new baby sister, and her mother left her in charge of her little brother. While fetching water, Elizabeti has a hard time accomplishing the chore and taking care of her brother. This book was very enjoyable to read. I would use this if I was covering a section in African culture. The vivid, complementary colors would be eye catching for the children. Students can also see how different our cultures are compared to life in Africa. People have to walk very far just to get a bucket of water. Children are given responsibilities of their younger siblings at an early age. This can be a look into another world for many students in a classroom.

Beautifully written and illustrated story about a little girl who must step up and help out with her younger brother when her mother has a new baby. Walks through the day of this girl who has to adapt to having her toddler brother with her as she takes care of her daily responsibilities for her family.

Mama Elizabeti is about a little girl who has to learn how to take care of a child. Elizabeti has a little baby brother but has to help out now with her little sister. She thinks it will be easy taking care of a baby because she has her own "baby", which is actually a rock. Elizabeti struggles to catch on to the responsibilities. She is learning that it is hard to take care of a baby and get the chores done at the same time. She began to wonder how her mother was able to do it all. I like the message given from this book, the little girl is a big help to the family.