Elizabeti's Doll

Summary: This book is about Elizabeti wanting to have a baby to take care of like her mom takes care of her baby brother. The story tells about Elizabeti's doll and how she created it and cared for it.

Personal Reaction: This book made me think of a school that I have recently volunteered at. The kids in that school have to make do with what they have and this story talks about that. It made me realize that providing a child with ev erything they could ever want no matter how simple isn't always the way to go. That sometimes the best thing you can give a child is a good imagination and the opportunity to use it. This book made me sad but it also made me open my eyes in many ways.

Classroom Extention:
1) I could have the students to write show more about a want that they have had and how they would have responded if they were unable to have it.
2) We could write about or have a classroom discussion on responsibilities that the students have at school and/or at home. show less

This would be just another very nice unusual doll story (compare, for example, to [b:Sophie's Squash|15926775|Sophie's Squash|Pat Zietlow Miller|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1404959958s/15926775.jpg|21677370]) but the rural Tanzanian setting makes it extra special. There are lots of details that enrich the story and will help 'western' families appreciate this different culture.

In this story, a little girl named Elizabeti decides that she needs a baby to take care of after watching her mother care for her younger brother. Whenever her mother feeds, changes or rocks her brother, Elizabeti does so with her doll. I thought this was a really cute story and I liked the way the author told it. I also liked how Elizabeti's doll was actually a rock that was shaped like a baby as it was more realistic to Elizabeti's life. I also liked the multicultural aspect of the story as well, and how it takes place in a village in Africa.

Ages: 3 and up
Source: Pierce College library

When Elizabeti's baby brother is born, she decides that she wants a "baby" too. She finds a rock to use as a doll, and names it Eva. Elizabeti takes care of Eva just like Mama takes care of Obedi: she feeds her, changes her diaper, and even sings her lullabyes.

A great story that a lot of kids will be able to relate to. It also wonderfully integrates aspects of the African culture through the illustrations and the characters' actions.

Classroom Extensions:
1. Compare/contrast Elizabeti's doll with their own toys.
2. Go outside a pick an object from nature to be their own Eva.

Elizabeti’s Doll is set in Africa. Elizabeti’s mother has a new baby and she wants a baby to take care of, too. Since she has no doll, she finds a rock and names it Eva. The story gives a glimpse of Elizabeti’s everyday life, how they cook, and wash among other things. When her Eva, her rock-baby is lost, Elizabeti is very upset. Once Eva is returned, Elizabeti is just as happy as if it were a prized toy.

This is an excellent story. I love how it shows the everyday life of a little girl with a loving family who lives in Africa. The contrast between her life and a little girl in the United States is hard to explain to children. This book stirs my heart and I love looking at the pictures of Elizabeti and seeing her emotion about her show more doll.

I would use this story to talk to my students about the differences in other countries. Poverty is a real issue and to “see” the story of a little girl who creates her own doll widens the students’ appreciation for their opportunities. I would also use this story at Thanksgiving time. I would teach about thankfulness for what you have and not to be greedy for what you do not have. show less

bought this book for my little nieces, whom I watch during the week.

They love the book, mostly for personal reasons - I carry the baby, ELIZABETI carries her baby; our baby is Eva, THE DOLL is Eva - but I love the book just because it's a very sweet story.

It has simple enough wording, only a few sentences per two-page spread, that it can be read easily to a young child, only two years or so... and it has a deep enough story that it will be enjoyed by an older child as well.

There's only one part of the book that strikes me as strange, and that's at the very end. Elizabeti's mother thinks to herself that Elizabeti will be a good mother when she grows up... and then we're told that Eva (the doll/rock) thinks so too. The style of the book show more is so realistic that it's a strange note, because, of course, dolls and rocks don't think. But I can always edit or skip that line, so it's not a problem. show less

A charming introduction to village life in Tanzania. I used these books with my daughter's first grade class because they did a unit on Kenya. The kids really got into the stories. What's really nice is that while to adult eyes Elizabeti's world might look deprived, the kids just took it in stride, enjoying the peek into another world. I think this is achieved through the excellent artwork. Although you could read this one-on-one to a younger child, it's really best for school age children who have some understanding of geography. Grades 1-3.