Birthday

by John Steptoe

The community of Yoruba throws a birthday party for eight-year-old Javaka Shatu, complete with steel drums, horns, food, and lots of singing and dancing, making him wish every day could be so much fun

Genres: African American

Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

John Steptoe was an award-winning author and illustrator of children's books from New York City. He began working on his first children's book, Stevie, while still a teenager and achieved great success during his tragically short career, encouraging the advancement of African American culture by producing work about the African American experience that children could appreciate. Recipient of two Coretta Scott King Awards and two Caldecott Honors, Steptoe was posthumously honored by the creation of the John Steptoe New Talent Award, an award designated annually by the Coretta Scott King Award Task Force. Steptoe's best known work is Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters, for which he won his second Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award.

Reviews

[Hae Sun · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is Javaka's birthday. This book shows how people in an African village celebrates life and the boy's birthday. Javaka's family moved back to Africa after his father thought that American did not treat people of color right. Here in Africa, their culture is celebrated and embraced wholly. Javaka is emersed in te African culture and his birthday is a celebration for the whole village. There is music and dancing and a lot of food is prepared for everyone to enjoy. Javaka's birthday party goes on until the dark hours of the night.

This book celebrates African culture. Here in America, we tend to forget the rich culture that the African nations bring to the world. So much of American music and culture is influenced by African cultures. This book shows the roots of this culture. Children would learn that Africa is no just a continent that is far away and struggling but a place that celebrates life and community.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a children's fiction book. Javaka was first to be born in the Yoruba village and it was his birthday. The whole village came together to with food, guests, bands,the party lasted all night long.

As a literacy teacher, I would use this book when we are learning about the Africa or diversity. We can learn about how they appreciate life and how they often prayed to God to show their appreciation. Children can learn that people celebrate birthdays differently but there is one thing in common, the love we have for each other. It'd also be great to input about the distance from here to there using a map.

Steptoe, the author's cultural background relate to the diverse issue as he wrote many other books so readers can grasp what it's like to be a child in a African community. This text taught me that some cultures are strongly religious and often thank God for everything such as daily weathers, food and anything they encounter throughout their day.

[Jesse McMorris · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Birthday a little boy named Javaka turns eight-years-old and as the reader we follow him through his daily routines and the celebration party for him. The illustrations are similar to others by John Steptoe, a painting combination of oil paints and pastels in vibrant colors. The lines are thick but blurred and give an outline of the shapes, but little detail to it. Faces and building are left blurry without any detail, but this seems to add to the story and does not make the reader confused. Steptoe also alternates between very vibrant colors on one page and the next has warm tones and intricate designs that mirror each other on the other page. Overall this book teaches about community and how you don’t need the newest toy to be happy, but loving friends and family to surround you. I would highly recommend this book around the holidays to kids because sometimes kids can be very vain with materials.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Javaka was the first to be born in Yoruba Village. A beautiful celebration of Blackness.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

how can you Not love a book that starts out "This morning I got up out of bed real fast. Mamma only had to call me twice."

[Anne with Violets · Rating 3 out of 5]

If only the whole world could live according to this picture book.