Light a Candle = Tumaini pasipo na Tumaini

Ngama has lived his whole life in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in all of Africa. When the chief of Ngama’s tribe of Chagga people—who also happens to be his father—sets off with a group of men to light a torch at the top of the mountain, Ngama wants to join them. Despite his father’s wishes that he stay behind and the challenging physical climb, Ngama sets off, determined to help the men of his tribe “light a candle” and celebrate a new freedom for his country and its people.

This beautifully illustrated bilingual (English and Swahili) picture book combines simple language with complex ideas about freedom, peace, and independence. It’s easy to recognize classic Eric Walters—well-researched, clean storytelling, and an important message (and the line about “between heaven and earth” was perhaps a reference to another popular Walters title). I have come to feel that I can trust Walters to reliably share the stories of other cultures. While Nkongolo’s name is not one I knew, it is now one that I will be looking for as this honest and informative story has a beautiful message of peace and unity across a country.

Eva Campbell’s art, with soft, gentle lines that echo the words on the page, is perfectly suited to this story. Just as there is no drastic fight or conflict within the story, the images remain peaceful. I was most impressed with her ability to capture the emotions of the characters in their faces, and, in particular, when Ngama’s father realizes that his son is following despite his instructions. Readers can see the pride in the father’s eyes.

Overall, Light a Candle would work well as an addition to any home, school, or classroom library, or as part of a writing unit working with themes of bravery, wisdom, and determination.