14 Cows for America

14 Cows for America (2009) by Carman Agra Deedy (illustrated by Thomas Gonzales) is a most inspirational and incredible story. Based on actual events, the story depicts how people sometimes come together over tragic events to help each other out.

In the story, the Maasai people of Kenya, Africa, have a person who has gone to the United States in order to become a doctor. While Kimeli was in New York, he witnessed the tragic terrorist attack on the World Trade Center buildings. The attack, he says, "...burned a hole in his heart." Kimeli was moved to give his greatest possession, a cow, to the US, since cows are nearly sacred to the Maasai people.

He tells the elders of his people his intentions. The elders agree and bless the cow and 13 others to offer as a comfort to the American people. These 14 cows are now considered to be "sacred, healing cows," which can never be slaughtered. They are well cared for and "continue to be a symbol of hope from the Maasai to their brothers and sisters in America."

While the story is factual and straightforward, the unframed, colorful images that span from edge to edge draw the reader into the story. Kimeli is often illustrated surrounded by his people, who welcome and embrace him warmly. The illustrator uses demand to show the Maasai people's welcoming caring nature. The illustrator uses demand yet again to show the darkened reaction of the Maasai people learning of the tragedy that took place across the ocean. The use of demand on the last page with the close up of Kimeli's eye somehow shows what he's seen and gets across the depth of his feeling for the atrocity and suffering that he had to witness.

Though 14 Cows for America is a picturebook, I don't feel it is intended for kindergartners. The story is deep and deals with the tragedy of the attack on the World Trade Center. Also, kindergartners may not understand the meaning of offering of the cows and what they symbolize.

However, I would have third through fifth-graders research different uses of symbolism in different cultures. 14 Cows for America would be a great sticky note book, placing questions on each page about which students have questions. Then, we could either individually, or in small groups, pick a note to research and write about and then give a brief report on that aspect of the book to the rest of the class.

I would definitely recommend 14 Cows for America for any teacher's classroom library.