Ndito Runs

by Laurie Halse Anderson, Anita Van der Merwe (Illustrator)

Running the miles to school every morning, vibrant Ndito drinks in the landscape of baobab trees and tall grass while calling up animal dreams for company, in a story that evokes the sights and feelings of Africa.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Africa, Animals, Cultural

32 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1996

About the author

UPDATE! Rebellion 1776 is out! The New York Times wrote, "Filled with immersive detail, expert delineations of complex characters, and both harsh and loving reality, Rebellion 1776 provides young readers with a true experience of a historic moment in time that resonates with today's world." Huzzah!

Laurie Halse Anderson is the New York Times-bestselling author of many award-winning books including the groundbreaking, modern classic Speak, a National Book Award finalist which has sold over 3.5 million copies and been translated into 35 languages.

In 2023, Anderson was named the Laureate of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, long considered to be the de facto 'Nobel Prize for Children's Literature.'

A passionate spokesperson for the need to combat censorship, she has been honored for her battles for intellectual freedom by the National Coalition Against Censorship and the National Council of Teachers of English. She lives near Philadelphia. Go Birds!

Follow Laurie on Bluesky at @halseanderson.bsky.social, Instagram at halseanderson, and Facebook at lauriehalseanderson, or by visiting her website, madwomanintheforest.com.

Reviews

[What April's Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of a little girl named Ndito and how she runs miles to school each day.

[Anne Lutomia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ndito Runs captures the lives of many children in rural Kenya who run to school barefoot. Readers are introduced to Ndito's community, culture, and environmental setting. Anita van der Merwe powerfully captures young Ndito's energy and emotions as well as the sights and scents of parts of Kenya. I enjoyed it.

[Sparrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

beautiful illustrations. I could see the hint of Anderson's literary skills in this book, but it was clear that it was her first picture book. glad I was finally able to borrow this from the library after so long!

[Emily Newcomer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The authenticity of this book is phenomenal. The lengths the author went to to ensure she accurately depicted the life of a school kid in Kenya is admirable. Informative and fun to read along to as it is full of simile.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written about a Nigerian girl happily running to school one morning, this book is full of simile. In addition to being about children from a country that hardly any children's books are about, the language is too rich not to love this. Outstanding book. Could probably be used in any grade because the text and plot aren't too complex for a younger reader, but for the similes I'd probably use it in third to fifth when they're learning about that.

[Shaundell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ndito is a young girl who lives in Kenya who excitedly runs to school every day, eager to learn. Beautiful illustrations and wonderful similies.

[Jade Saleem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book that ties into to African American culture. Books introduces elementary students to open their imagination and soar.

[Vasha7 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little girl in Kenya runs to school, imagining she's various animals. Nice pictures, but overall seemed a bit undistinguished to me.

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

With so much engery, Ndito runs to school and passes various animals along the way.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and school positive, though not a lot happens! Shows a lot of African scenery.

[Alice]

Kenya