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Lala Salama: A Tanzanian Lullaby
For sleepy little ones everywhere, Newbery Medalist Patricia MacLachlan offers a lyrical Tanzanian lullaby that follows a loving family through their day.
The rhythm of the day's activities creates the melody of the evening's lullaby in this sweet song of family life along the banks of Lake Tanganyika. As the bright day shifts to twilight, the lantern on Baba's boat twinkles in the distance, sending the baby off into a peaceful sleep on Mama's shoulder. Inspired by a visit to her son, his wife, and their child in Tanzania, Patricia MacLachlan writes a gentle story of an African family's day from sunup to sundown. Rich, beautifully detailed illustrations by Elizabeth Zunon offer a restful complement to the Swahili refrain "lala salama"--an invocation to "sleep well."
The rhythm of the day's activities creates the melody of the evening's lullaby in this sweet song of family life along the banks of Lake Tanganyika. As the bright day shifts to twilight, the lantern on Baba's boat twinkles in the distance, sending the baby off into a peaceful sleep on Mama's shoulder. Inspired by a visit to her son, his wife, and their child in Tanzania, Patricia MacLachlan writes a gentle story of an African family's day from sunup to sundown. Rich, beautifully detailed illustrations by Elizabeth Zunon offer a restful complement to the Swahili refrain "lala salama"--an invocation to "sleep well."
32 pages, Hardcover
First published November 8, 2011
About the author
Patricia MacLachlan
122 books769 followersPatricia MacLachlan was born on the prairie, and always carried a small bag of prairie dirt with her wherever she went to remind her of what she knew first. She was the author of many well-loved novels and picture books, including Sarah, Plain and Tall, winner of the Newbery Medal; its sequels, Skylark and Caleb's Story; and Three Names, illustrated by Mike Wimmer. She lived in western Massachusetts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
June 9, 2021
This is a nice book that shows what life is like for a fishing family in Tanzania.
November 3, 2021
Simple , but sweet text showing the nighttime life of a fisher family in Tanzania with beautiful illustrations.
June 9, 2021
I'm not sure how Patricia MacLachlan finds so many excellent artists to collaborate with on picture books, but she's done it again with Lala Salama: A Tanzanian Lullaby. The words of the story are poetic and soothing, everything a lullaby is supposed to be, and the gorgeous illustrations give us a glimpse into a land of incredible scenic majesty, Tanzania. The oranges and reds of the sunset blaze across the twilight sky like trails of fire, a natural nightly pyrotechnics show that no amount of money could ever purchase. For a picture book meant to convey the beauty of Tanzania, Lala Salama does the job exquisitely.
The story covers one day in the life of a hardworking Tanzanian mother and her infant child. The baby is no burden to its mother even though it hangs on her back all day as she works; to her, the joy of having the child at all lightens the load so that it feels as if it were nothing, and though the two of them seem to be alone in this world with an uncertain future, their evenings spent beneath the mercifully cool Tanzanian night skies remind them of what they once had that still isn't gone, not really, and draw them closer together to face the challenges of the next day, whatever they may be.
I would give this book two and a half stars, and I still might choose to round that rating up to three at some point. Not everyone lives in Africa, but that doesn't hinder the effect of this story's emotion, which hinges upon the universal qualities of love between mother and child. Patricia MacLachlan has created yet another lovely picture book that is sure to touch readers for generations to come, and I am glad to have read it.
The story covers one day in the life of a hardworking Tanzanian mother and her infant child. The baby is no burden to its mother even though it hangs on her back all day as she works; to her, the joy of having the child at all lightens the load so that it feels as if it were nothing, and though the two of them seem to be alone in this world with an uncertain future, their evenings spent beneath the mercifully cool Tanzanian night skies remind them of what they once had that still isn't gone, not really, and draw them closer together to face the challenges of the next day, whatever they may be.
I would give this book two and a half stars, and I still might choose to round that rating up to three at some point. Not everyone lives in Africa, but that doesn't hinder the effect of this story's emotion, which hinges upon the universal qualities of love between mother and child. Patricia MacLachlan has created yet another lovely picture book that is sure to touch readers for generations to come, and I am glad to have read it.
September 20, 2016
Patricia MacLachlan writes a soothing Tanzanian Lullaby that tells the story of a family that lives on the lake Tanganyika in Congo. The story starts at sunrise with stunning illustrations that wash a pink glow over the city. The father goes off to work while the mother carries out the daily chores with her baby strapped to her back. She can feel the baby’s breathing along her back all day long. At dusk the family reunites briefly before the father takes off into the ocean on his boat (but always in sight). So the mother whispers Lala Salama and goodnight.
I think the most captivating part of this book is the beautiful illustrations the colors are blended to make Tanzania appear vivid and rich with color. The story itself portrays the universal themes of love between mother and child, which makes it relatable but also culturally generic. As a lullaby the words were not as rhythmic as I would have thought they would be, but the pictures alone were soothing.
I think the most captivating part of this book is the beautiful illustrations the colors are blended to make Tanzania appear vivid and rich with color. The story itself portrays the universal themes of love between mother and child, which makes it relatable but also culturally generic. As a lullaby the words were not as rhythmic as I would have thought they would be, but the pictures alone were soothing.
May 31, 2012
This poetic lullaby transports readers to Tanzania and life by the lake, Tanganyika. It is the story of a small family with a father who heads off to work on the lake in his boat. The mother stays on the shore with her baby, washing the baby, carrying water, working the fields, and cooking food. The animals of Tanzania are around them in all of their exotic beauty. Then as the sun sets, the father returns spend time with his family and eventually sails off to the lake again. The mother and baby sit on the shore, watching the night and the lights on the boats. This picture book is beautifully foreign, tremendously tranquil, and has a lushness that is exquisite.
Read the rest of my review on my blog, Waking Brain Cells.
Read the rest of my review on my blog, Waking Brain Cells.
January 25, 2013
Mommy's review from 12/7/11 -
So very, very beautiful. As soon as my eyes fell on this cover I knew I'd be taking it home. Normally 'lullaby' would have made me hesitate but with a cover this beautiful I knew immediately.
And I wasn't let down in the least. I wouldn't consider this a "lullaby" so we read the story before bed one night last week and Julia was taken in as well.
The illustrator, Elizabeth Zunon did an amazing job. Patricia MacLachlan is no less amazing.
The story is a simple one, the life of what I assume would be an average Tanzanian family consisting of a mother, father and baby.
I don't think 'Lala Salama' is actually defined although one can guess a casual meaning. I'd still have liked to have it actually defined if at all possible.
It's a precious story, an all around precious book and I wouldn't hesitate to give it as a gift or recommend to any parent.
So very, very beautiful. As soon as my eyes fell on this cover I knew I'd be taking it home. Normally 'lullaby' would have made me hesitate but with a cover this beautiful I knew immediately.
And I wasn't let down in the least. I wouldn't consider this a "lullaby" so we read the story before bed one night last week and Julia was taken in as well.
The illustrator, Elizabeth Zunon did an amazing job. Patricia MacLachlan is no less amazing.
The story is a simple one, the life of what I assume would be an average Tanzanian family consisting of a mother, father and baby.
I don't think 'Lala Salama' is actually defined although one can guess a casual meaning. I'd still have liked to have it actually defined if at all possible.
It's a precious story, an all around precious book and I wouldn't hesitate to give it as a gift or recommend to any parent.
February 24, 2012
What a calming book. This lullaby is also a glimpse into the life of a mother and child in the exotic land of Tanzania. The book highlights the realtionship between a mother and a child and the love they share. It also gives us a glimpse of Tanzania and the beautiful landscape of this country. The book begins at the dawning of a new day and the preparations that the mother goes through. Waking up, washing up, bathing and dressing baby, sending the father off to work, filling water jugs and working in the fields. All of this with the baby tied to her back in a kanga. The illustrations are lovely....I really got the feeling that this baby was loved and cherished by his parents......Appropriate for ages 3-7 years.
LaLa Salama translated means dream your dreams.
LaLa Salama translated means dream your dreams.
December 13, 2011
The singing or humming of lullabies to little ones at the end of the day seems to be a universal practice. In this picture book set in Tanzania, a mother recollects the day's important moments to her child: filling the jug with water, hoeing the crops, and preparing meals, all with her baby close by. As night falls and the two of them watch the lantern lights on the boats on the water, she soothes her child and prepares for sleep. The language is soothing, almost lullaby-like throughout the story, and the oil paint illustrations show vividly the bond between mother and child as they move across the land that provides daily sustenance.
September 9, 2016
Hmmm... If I were rating on the illustrations alone, I would give the book five stars as they are exquisite. If the book was 'sold' as a 'day in the life of...' story for children to learn more about the people of Tanzania I might give it four stars. But, the book is 'sold' as - and named - a 'lullaby'. The book is not a lullaby. Instead, it is a recounting of the day's activities to the baby, who was part of those activities. I gave three stars because of the illustrations but the story just did not click with me.
April 22, 2015
A lovely picture book filled with a traditional family from Tanzania. I was worried it carried on Chimamanda Adichie's idea of the single story of Africa. This tender book definitely continues the idea that Tanzania is a rural and primitive area, continuing that view for this assignment just doesn't seem right. But the story and pictures are beautiful.
March 18, 2017
This is a bedtime story based from Tanzania, along the Congo. It was a sweet tale about how a mother loved her child, how she worked with him on her back. And then they watched his baba, or grandpa, sail on his boat.
I wouldn't liked more context and information about this tale and the saying lala salama. Because otherwise I don't REALLY know what it means, especially to the Tanzanian people.
I wouldn't liked more context and information about this tale and the saying lala salama. Because otherwise I don't REALLY know what it means, especially to the Tanzanian people.
December 14, 2011
copyright 2011 multicultural
This book is a Tanzanian Lullaby...very peaceful and soothing book. The illustrations are beautiful and one can definitely feel the love between mother and child (and the father that they are waiting to come home).
This book is a Tanzanian Lullaby...very peaceful and soothing book. The illustrations are beautiful and one can definitely feel the love between mother and child (and the father that they are waiting to come home).
February 11, 2012
This was my favorite book of the day. The colors match the lyrical writing perfectly. It begs to be read aloud. I recommend it at every bedtime and nap time. Heck read it anytime you need to bring it down a notch. Not just for the kids in the world, the adults need to bring it down too.
October 26, 2011
Lovely story, beautiful illustrations.
January 11, 2012
A super sweet sleepy story with beautiful pictures.
September 11, 2016
A sweet bedtime story with beautiful images to accompany the text.
February 23, 2012
Beautiful illustrations and gentle words. And I love the babywearing.
April 4, 2012
A mother relates the events of a peaceful day along the banks of Lake Tanganyika to her baby, wrapped up and ready for sleep.
November 2, 2013
I read this book because of the illustrations, and those are what kept me interested. I love the rich hues and vivid colors; they fit the setting perfectly.
November 6, 2013
Love, love the babywearing!
June 25, 2016
A beautiful, gentle lullaby from a Tanzanian mother to her baby. Incredibly touching.
May 24, 2014
Gentle, rhythmic, with a text/image balance that made a day in the life of a Tazmanian fishing village feel natural and familiar.
July 23, 2014
A lullaby is told to a baby. The lullaby is about a day in the life for a family in Tanzania.
May 4, 2017
Simple and sweet. Words and pictures complement each other.
May 30, 2019
A tanzanian lullaby that has been translated. It is a narration of a mother speaking to her child throughout their day while waiting for its father to return from fishing at sea.
October 3, 2019
Preschool level lullaby. Tanzanian. Written by Patricia Maclachlan, author of "Sarah Plain and Tall."
August 11, 2020
Beautiful illustrations and such a soothing cadence.
September 8, 2020
Sweet but confused lacking a lullaby (?) and also wish it had a translation dictionary/pronunciation guide!
October 26, 2020
Own Voices for the illustrator: Elizabeth Zunon.
January 1, 2021
A beautiful bedtime story with gorgeous illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews