The Matatu (review)

Today is Kioko's fifth birthday, and in honor of the occasion his grandfather is taking him for his very first ride on a matatu, the bus that provides public transportation in rural East Africa. Following his grandfather's directive to "watch for goats and sheep as well as dogs," Kioko observes that the goats always hide from the matatu, the dogs always chase the matatu, and the sheep simply watch the matatu passing. Grandfather then tells Kioko a folktale about a time when animals were paying passengers on the matatu that provides an explanation for the very behaviors that Kioko noticed. Canadian author Walters, who runs a organization that helps Kenyan orphans, does an exemplary job of providing a cultural snapshot of Kioko's world. The affection between Kioko and his grandfather is effectively captured in Campbell's lively oil paintings, which also depict a dynamic, color-filled village and expressive villagers. The volume is a bit on the text-heavy side, making it a rather long readaloud, but the pacing and the appealing illustrations should hold listeners through to the end. An author's note provides an animated depiction of what it's like to ride a matatu.