Book Description
for The Book That Kibo Wrote by Mariana Ruiz Johnson
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
A single book makes its way from one animal to another, providing comfort, enjoyment, and transformative experiences along the way. Written by a rhinoceros named Kibo, the story in question is about the sights and sounds of the savanna where Kibo lives: its “red sky,” “the buzz of the bugs,” “the silhouettes of the birds.” Kibo’s friend Naki the crane stitches the book together and carries it into the city, where she leaves it in a “hidden corner.” The book is found by Camilo the lion, who is filled with nostalgia as he reads of the savanna, the place where he was born. From there, the book continues to travel. It inspires a songwriter and helps forge a connection between new acquaintances. It teaches a traveler about a place and animals that are unfamiliar to her. It warms the fur of a reader living in a frigid climate. Black, white, and solid primary colors dominate the bold digital art, while vivid, sensory text underscores the theme of the power of a well-written story. The diverse experiences of the characters in this translated book demonstrate a single story’s capacity to affect individual readers in vastly different ways. (Ages 4-8)
CCBC Choices 2023. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2023. Used with permission.