The Girl Who Buried Her Dreams in a Can: A True Story

by Tererai Trent, Jan Spivey Gilchrist (Illustrator)

An inspirational autobiographical picture book from Oprah Winfrey’s "All-Time Favorite Guest” 

This is the story of a little girl with big dreams.

All the girl ever wanted was an education. But in Rhodesia, education for girls was nearly impossible.

So she taught herself to read and write with her brother’s schoolbooks and to count while watching cattle graze.

When the girl became a young wife and mother, she wrote her goals on a scrap of paper and buried them in a can—an ancient ritual that reminded her that she couldn't give up on her dreams.

She dreamed of going to America and earning one degree; then a second, even higher; and a third, the highest. And she hoped to bring education to all the girls and boys of her village.

Would her dreams ever come true?

Illustrated with Jan Spivey Gilchrist’s graceful watercolors, Dr. Tererai Trent’s true story of perseverance is sure to inspire readers of all ages.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Nonfiction, Childrens, Africa, Autobiography, History

40 pages, Hardcover

First published October 6, 2015

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Dr. Tererai Trent was a young girl, she wanted more than anything to go to school. A brother taught her to read, in exchange for doing his homework for him. When the teacher discovered that she wanted to learn, it was arranged that she should go to school. This is the true story of a dedicated woman, who, through education has changed the lives of the people of Zimbabwe. Her dreams were not impossible. Beautifully illustrated and well written, this picturebook biography is a good addition to the elementary or middle school library.

Cross-posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Text: 3 stars
Illustrations: 3 stars

True story of a girl from an African village who pursues an education, even though it's uncommon for girls there at the time. According to the story, she has the support of her entire family, the teacher, and most of her village. The text makes it seem as though she has very few obstacles. Dr. Trent's life may be an inspiration to others, but that is not portrayed effectively in this book. Also, it feels awkward to read an autobiography written in third-person POV.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good, but I found myself wanting more. Trent's story, as written, was very linear - this happened, and then many months later this happened, and then many years later this happened. There also seemed to be a lot of luck involved - the male teacher happens to be okay with educating a girl. And how did Trent get her college acceptance letter? The book makes it seem like it happened by magic, which seems to undermine the focus on hard work and perseverance the book tries to have.
I think Tererai Trent's story could be very interesting, if only we were allowed to know a little bit more of it!

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a personal story by Tererai Trent and her early years in what is now Zimbabwe. She always wanted to learn. She saw how hard it was that none of the women had an education. She saw the opportunity offered to those who learned to read, learned advanced math and science, and she felt a need to achieve this dream. Her village supported her dream after she proved her intelligence could be a value to the community.

This is a beautiful story about a real person who fought cultural differences to achieve a dream that seemed unattainable and brought back educational opportunities to the village that she loved.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring short story for children. I truly wish parents read it to their kids since it has a very strong message for both the children and the parents.

[Mckenzie Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

NEVER LET GO OF YOUR DREAMS!!! If you think that something is important and that you want to do it, work your tail off and you will get there. There was no magic in this book, no wish upon a star. She worked to get what she wanted and then brought what she learned back to the village that she grew up into. I really relate to this because I'm studying to become a teacher and want to help kids who don't have the same opportunity.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a good story about reaching for something you really want. Since my child is older I would have liked a little more detail in the story, but I'm giving this a 4 because I think for younger children it is an excellent introduction to the idea that some people have to work really hard and go against their cultures "normal" to get what they want. I also love that this is a picture book memoir.

This book arrived in our "We Need a Shero!" BYL family reading crate.

[Liza Nahas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhh, loved this book! The illustrations help tell the story and reminded me of books I loved as a child. And the story is just so inspirational, what's a better word for "inspirational"-that's what this is. I love that Dr. Tererai Trent shared her life with us.

[Marcia A. Petrini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent motivational book, if you can dream it can become a reality and one person can make a difference.

Great story of one's person's dream come true. Highly recommend for individuals in evolving countries especially young women and others who are told "it is imposible"

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspiring true story.

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girl Who Buried Her Dreams in a Can (Hardcover) by Tererai Trent, Illustrator -Jan Spivey Gilchrist, Hindi language translation by Vidushak- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the inspirational autobiographical story of Oprah Winfrey. Oprah Winfrey was born in Rhodesia, Africa. She was a girl with big dreams. She wanted to be educated. In Rhodesia, education for girls was nearly impossible. So, Oprah taught herself to read and write with her brother’s schoolbooks and to count while watching cattle graze. When the girl became a young wife and mother, she wrote her goals on a scrap of paper and buried them in a can—an ancient ritual that reminded her that she could not give up on her dreams. She dreamed of going to America to earning one degree; then a second, even higher; and a third, the highest. She hoped to bring education to all the girls and boys of her village. With her efforts she was helped by an American lady to move to USA for studies. This was just a beginning. History says the rest. The book is illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist’s graceful watercolors. Oprah Winfrey’s perseverance is sure to inspire readers of all ages. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS BOOK. It was so inspiring to read. It is about a little girl with big dreams. Education was nearly impossible for girls, but all she wanted was an education. It meant a lot to her and she wanted it. She didn't let anything stop her, she taught herself how to read and write from using her brother's schoolbooks. Learned how to count when she would watch the cattle. I loved the illustrations and how watercolor was used. She wrote her goals on a piece of paper and buried them in a can which represented an ancient ritual that would remind her that she couldn't give up on her dreams. I was truly a fan of this book and would be one to share in my future classroom.

[Vern · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story which emphasizes education as a transformative force, especially for girls in communities where opportunities are limited. The tradition of burying dreams in a can is a metaphor for holding onto hope even when circumstances seem impossible. A story that encourages young readers (especially girls) to believe in their own dreams, no matter how out of reach they may seem. Read with my nine-year-old daughter and we loved it!

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Last month I researched this illustrator for Wikipedia so I checked this out when it was displayed at the library. I wish I had liked it more. As written it felt more like a vanity project than a true-to-life story; it seems some opportunities were missed to talk about the hardships in her life and not just her successes.

[jakara · Rating 4 out of 5]

we all have dreams and growing up many of us were limited and restricted for one reason or another. This true story of a girl who wanted to learn regardless of what society said she should be doing is powerful for children and young adults. We must turn the 'Impossible' into the Achievable!

[Yolanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every person who leaves home to follow their dreams should do so with this young lady's perspective.

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a beautiful book! The message was inspiring and encouraging. I shared it with my littles, and I’m so glad I did.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes

[Carly Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story it is so inspirational as is Dr Tererai Trent. I have had the pleasure of meeting her and I feel honoured she is a wonderful lady who assists many young people.

[Lynn Cansler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book as a read aloud to my students, about having dreams and working to achieve them.

[Hannah Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good story to start a conversation on racism with young students. Especially for students of color who may relate to that topic more than their teachers might know.

[Briana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely compelling true story of a woman who gets out of Africa and who is academically super successful at a time when women were not. Speaks to the power of not giving up on your dream.

[Yuriah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Non-Fiction- This story is about a young girl growing up in Rhodesia where it was impossible for women yet alone an African American women to have an education. I loved the illustrations and the ritual she used that reminded her that she couldn't give up on her dreams. (Scraps of paper buried in a can). This is a great book to teach students to never give up no matter their race/gender. The author did a great job with conveying the meaning of never giving up. I loved how Jo Luck told her " You truly desire this dream, then it is achievable". This story relates to my cultural text set because it shows a luttle girl taking lemons and turning them into lemonades by saying she can and she will get an education no matter where she is from.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This autobiographical tale is about a young Rhodesian girl who dreamed of obtaining education and buried her goals in a can in the ground in honor of the cultural tradition in her village. Her mother told her that "Mother Earth will feed them and help them grow." And they did.

The gorgeous watercolor illustrations by Jan Spivey Gilchrist complement the narrative nicely and really help to show the emotions and humanity in those who helped to guide and shape Ms. Trent along her journey.

I loved the author's note and afterword at the end of the book and they bring to the forefront the power of generosity and determination. I also loved the batik print on the end papers.

This story is sure to inspire young women everywhere. It certainly inspired me. Highly recommended.

[Kayla Spires · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true story accompanied by beautiful realistic artwork about a girl overcoming a lack of allowance to her education and literacy. She makes her way to America where she earns 2 degrees and returns home to teach the African children there. Very inspirational and warm with the watercolor work.

[W.H. Beck]

True story of a girl from now-Zimbabwe who wasn't allowed to go to school, but still dreamed of studying and learning. Eventually, she earned a doctorate from the U.S. returned to her land to continue to help and teach her people.

Would be a great example of perseverance and following your dreams (and appreciating school! :)).

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very inspiring biography of an African woman who dreamed of an education, despite being told that it was more important for girls to cook and clean and take care of their children. I'm not sure students would pick this up on their own, but it could be used as a classroom or library read aloud to talk about the power of education and different experiences around the world.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A moving autobiography about a little girl who grew up in Rhodesia where she taught herself to read from her brother's school books. She worked very hard and eventually gained an education in the US. It's a picture book elevated by Gilchrist's gorgeous illustrations.

[Hector Gutierrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful moving story. The fact that its a true story makes it so significant and moving. This book is a must read. I would share this book to my class to empower my girls and make all of my students thankful for the opportunities they have.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A picture book memoir about how a young woman pursued her education in Zimbabwe, continued to dream of higher education, and then succeed in getting her PhD in the United States. Love the "Dear Reading" and Afterword at the end of this book along with the photographs.

[Carolyn Roys · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love true stories of great spirit. Just ended too abruptly for me.