Saadien-Raad, Kerry

Abongi’s Journey

Illustrated by Tasia Rosser. Kenilworth, Cape Town: Ampersand Press, 2002. No pag. ISBN 1-919760-22-9. Ages 2-5.

Commentary
This wordless picture book follows the journey of an African boy who pushes his wire car from the country to the city, where he is swept up in his mother’s arms. Along the way he encounters various types of transport: rolling tyres, donkey cart, bulldozers, buses, cars, and trains. There is plenty in the illustrations for an alert child to identify. Each double-page spread contains a visual clue to the next spread, ensuring continuity. This cleverly conceived picture book can be enjoyed by children regardless of their home language. Abongi’s Journey was nominated for the 2002 SACBF Vivian Wilkes Award.

Picture Books

South Africa

Ampersand