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    14 Cows for America
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    14 Cows for America
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    14 Cows for America
    Ebook36 pages6 minutes

    14 Cows for America

    By Carmen Agra Deedy, Thomas Gonzalez and Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah

    4.5/5

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    About this ebook

    A New York Times Best Seller

    This now-classic picture book recounts the true story of a touching gift bestowed on the United States by a tribe of Maasai Warriors in the wake of the September 11th attacks.

    “Lovely… beautifully evocative.” ―Nicholas Kristof, The New York Times

    “Moving and dramatically illustrated.” ―The Wall Street Journal

    “Elegant…suspenseful…The colors of Kenya explode off the page.” ―School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

    In June of 2002, a mere nine months since the September 11 attacks, a very unusual ceremony begins in a far-flung village in western Kenya. An American diplomat is surrounded by hundreds of Maasai people. A gift is about to be bestowed upon the American men, women, and children, and he is there to accept it. The gift is as unexpected as it is extraordinary.

    Hearts are raw as these legendary Maasai warriors offer their gift to a grieving people half a world away. Word of the gift will travel newswires around the globe, and for the heartsick American nation, the gift of fourteen cows emerges from the choking dust and darkness as a soft light of hope―and friendship.

    This New York Times best seller recounts the true story from Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah of the touching gift bestowed on the United States by a tribe of Maasai Warriors in the wake of the September 11 attacks. With stunning paintings from Thomas Gonzalez, master storyteller Carmen Agra Deedy (in collaboration with Naiyomah) hits all the right notes in this elegant story of generosity that crosses boundaries, nations, and cultures.

    Best Children’s Books of the Year (Starred) – Bank Street College of Education

    Notable Books for a Global Society – International Reading Association

    E.B. White Read-Aloud Honor – Association of Booksellers for Children

    Parents’ Choice Gold Award – Parents’ Choice Foundation

    Teacher’s Guide available!

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPeachtree Publishers
    Release dateSep 15, 2018
    ISBN9781682631119
    Author

    Carmen Agra Deedy

    Carmen Agra Deedy is a New York Times bestselling author and has been writing and traveling around the world telling stories for more than twenty years. Her books have received numerous awards and honors. She has performed in many prestigious venues, but children are her favorite audience. Born in Havana, Cuba, she came to the United States as a refugee and, like most immigrants, sees the world from multiple perspectives. She lives in Georgia.

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    Reviews for 14 Cows for America

    4.5/5

    248 ratings47 reviews

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 4/5
      Touching nonfiction picture book about how the main character, Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah, returned to his home town in Kenya after 9/11. After relating the news to the villagers, the Maasai gave to the survivors what they had to give - 14 cows from their herds.I would love to read this to lower reading students and pair it with video of the Maasai people.
    • 4/5
      This book is about Kimeli, a Kenya native, living in the U.S. during the September 11 atrocity. He brings the story to his village in Kenya and they decide to have a ceremony and gift the U.S. 14 cows. In their land, cows means life. These cows are so special, they could never be killed. I would read this to children to show that people could feel the pains of others all over the world and they understand, care, and want to help.
    • 3/5
      This book was truly meaningful. It had the qualities of a good book. The only thing I would say badly about it was the fact that it did not catch my attention. Otherwise, I would definitely recommend it.
    • 5/5
      This is a story based on true life experiences of a Maasarian boy who came to America. He witnessed the devastation of 9/11, and returned home to his village in Kenya to ask for support for the American people. His people were nomadic, and the village was made of mud huts. The Maasai culture is brought to life in the beautiful illustrations and descriptions. This is an inspirational story that I would use as a read aloud for students probably in third grade.
    • 5/5
      14 Cows for America is a touching and inspirational true story about Kimeli and his Maasai people. After returning home from America where Kimeli is studying to be a doctor, Kimeli is burdened with the story of the September 11th terrorists attacks in New York City. He shares the story with the elders hoping they will be moved to generosity and compassion like he is. He is not disappointed, and his tribe offers 14 of their most sacred possessions, their cows. This story is very moving and gives the reader a unique cultural perspective of generosity of the human spirit. Genre: 14 Cows for America is a biography that recounts the true events of the Maasai tribe and their generosity to America after the September 11th terrorist attacks. Via the descriptive language and vivid pictures, this story is able to paint a genuine picture of the lives of those who have come before us as well as engages even the youngest of readers. I think that is part of the greatest aspect of this biography, that even through a child may be young and unable to understand the terrorist attacks that occurred on 9/11, they will be able to empathize and recognize the generosity and compassion of the Maasai people to America.
    • 5/5
      This book tells the story of the Maasai tribe and how they rallied together to give 14 cows to America after the tragedy of 9/11. A young Maasai man had the opportunity to study in America and was in New York the day of September 11. He went home nine months later to dedicate a cow for the loses of the American people. His people grabbed on to the sentiment and dedicated 14 cows in a large ceremony including the American Ambassador and his wife.Genre: InformationalCritique: This book is a good example of informational because it tells the true story of the relationship that was developed between the Maasai tribe and American people with 14 cows after 9/11.Media: pastel, colored pencil, and airbrush
    • 5/5
      This heartwarming book tells the story of a Maasai tribe that, after hearing of the Twin Towers on 9/11, dedicate 14 cows to the people of America as a gift to those that grief the deaths of loved ones. I would use this book during history class when studying the events of 9/11.
    • 5/5
      In his letter at then end, the protagonist declares that he hopes this tale of international empathy, unity, and sacrifice in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks gives Americans a persistent sense of comfort and peace. Read to determine if it does.
    • 4/5
      Deedy, C.A. (2009). 14 Cows for America. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree Publishers.9781561454907This picturebook hit the streets last year and became very popular as the go-to narrative to discuss the events of September 11, 2001. And for good reason.Appetizer: Based in truth, When Kimeli arrives home to his Maasai tribe in Kenya from his trip to the United States (where he's studying to become a doctor) he must share the story of September 11th, 2001 with the members of his tribe.One of the many strengths of this picturebook is the fact that it shares the story of September 11th with the expectation that children Kimeli speaks to, and by extension the reader, doesn't have knowledge of 9/11. It shows how people on the other side of the world reacted to hearing about the tragedy. A reader can gain other lessons from the text, making 14 Cows for America a wonderful introductory text to the events without seeming to scary. Instead the book focuses on kindness and community. It's up to the teacher whether or not they want to have a more extensive discussion of 9/11.Okay, I absolutely love that this book addresses the art of oral storytelling. The way the children sit to listen to to Kimeli's story of September 11th parallels the way a read aloud would look here in countless early elementary classrooms. That tends to be a technique that we lose focus of as educators fixate on literacy.Another of the strengths of this story is the fact that 14 Cows for America shows the way that others have offered assistance to the U.S. So often Americans are bombarded with images of how we need to help others. But I like that this picturebook show that sometimes the U.S. needs help too and that other nations and people are in positions to help us.The illustrations are done in colored pencils. The style is interesting. The images are realistic, but there's often a softness to the edges, making the faces of people seem blurred (as though they could be anyone perhaps?).Dinner Conversation:"The remote village waits for a story to be told. News travels slowly to this corner of Kenya.""Once they were feared warriors. Now they live peaceably as nomadic cattle herders. They treat their cows as kindly as they do their children.""He must return to the faraway country where he is learning to be a doctor. He thinks of New York then. He remembers September.""Building so tall they can touch the sky?Fires so hot they can melt iron?Smoke and dust so thick they can block out the sun?"To Go with the Meal:This is a good book to trigger a lesson on September 11th. Since the book only alludes to it, a teacher will have to provide more details and facts about the events of that day. Another route to go would be to discuss the history of Kenya and the way that the Maasai tribe has evolved with time. A teacher could direct students to research the culture of the Maasai and other African tribes. Or a teacher could focus on how cultures and people are connected across great distances.Lots of options!To try to encourage American readers to relate to the experiences of the Maasai people, a teacher could begin by having students consider how they treat their pets, giving them names and talking to them. A teacher would then encourage students to compare that to how the Maasai treat their cows. To try to think of what the Maasai tribe sacrificed by the *ahem* (trying to be vague here) choices they made to help others, a teacher could propose the idea of how it would feel for students to give up their pet or favorite toy to assist others. (A teacher should also emphasize the fact that the Maasai people gave up a portion of their livelihood to help as well)Tasty Rating: !!!!
    • 5/5
      September 11, 2001 was a defining moment in U.S. history. I'll never forget where I was and what I was doing when I heard of the attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. I'll also never forget the outpouring of compassion from all over the world in the days that followed. This children's book tells of the generosity of a small Maasai village in Kenya when they heard the account of one of their own, a young man studying in the U.S. who was in New York on that fateful day in September. He was moved to offer his only cow, the most valued possession in Maasai culture, to the people of America as an act of healing. Others followed his example and offered their own precious cows, fourteen in all.This is a children's picture book so the story is simply told, but it evokes strong emotions. Not too long ago, another American city was attacked, and the aftermath still fills our daily news. It's important to hear stories like 14 Cows for America to remind us that people of good will far outnumber those with evil intent.
    • 5/5
      It's difficult to think of a topic more widely canvassed, in recent years, than the events of September 11, 2001, and the causes, meanings, and ramifications thereof. Everyone - from the "pride goeth before a fall" lot, who blame U.S. foreign policy for the attacks, to the "clash of civilizations" crowd, who look to the inherent evil of the cultures and religion which produced the terrorists for a cause - has an opinion. It may sound odd, given the current omnipresence of this event in our public discourse, but I rarely hear anyone speaking - save in a bombastic way - about what actually happened that day: about the more than three thousand human beings who were brutally murdered in the span of a few short hours. It may very well be that this is a necessity, if one is to engage in a rational political discussion of the matter, without being swallowed whole by emotional distress. I have this particularly vivid memory of a panel discussion held shortly after 9/11 at my college, in which hot debate about what would and should happen next was interrupted by a quiet young Indian student, who stood up and wondered aloud how the participants could already be haggling about who was to blame, reducing a terrible tragedy to little more than a talking point in their own ongoing political narratives. "Thousands of people have died!" he exclaimed, and the hall fell silent. No one knew what to say - partly I suspect, because they recognized the truth of his accusation. But also because, what could they say? What, save our fumbling attempt to make meaning, can be done in the face of such an atrocity?Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah - a young Maasai man studying medicine in the United States, who found himself in New York City on that fateful day, and was haunted afterword by the terrible loss suffered by his host nation - discovered the answer to that question in the traditions of his people, and in his own "childhood heart." Returning to his village, it was Kimeli who brought the news of that day to the Maasai, who told them the terrible story, and who asked the elders' blessing for his symbolic gift of Enkarûs - his only cow - to America. Moved by his story, and mindful of the fact that "there is no nation so powerful it cannot be wounded, nor a people so small they cannot offer mighty comfort," the elders agreed. They, and the people, did something more: they added their own cows to Kimeli's gift. Fourteen cows for America, from a pastoral people for whom "the cow is life."Written by Carmen Agra Deedy, in collaboration with Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah, whose story it is, 14 Cows for America is an immensely moving little book, a reminder that, while there is malice and cruelty in the world, there is also great generosity and compassion. It isn't a book to explain the events of 9/11, so much as a tale of how one person responded to those events: how he carried the story around with him, until it "burned a hole in his heart;" how he shared the burden of that story with his loved ones and community; and how he found, in the teachings of his childhood, in the idea that "To heal a sorrowing heart, give something that is dear to your own," a way to express his compassion, his fellow-feeling.Thomas Gonzalez' illustrations - done in pastel and colored pencil - are beautiful, subtly capturing both the light-filled land of the Maasai, and (in the storytelling scenes) the smoky terror of 9/11. But the true strength here is the narrative, which, in its very simplicity, paints the best picture I have yet seen of that terrible day in New York: "Buildings so tall they can touch the sky... Fires so hot they can melt iron... Smoke and dust so thick they can block out the sun... More than three thousand souls are lost." I wept. Isn't that what one does, in the face of such terrible wrong? Isn't that what one does, in the face of such love?
    • 5/5
      Good story to read around the anniversary of September 11. It does not directly tell the story of 9/11 so it is a good way to introduce to children to it by reading the book. The illustrations are beautifully done and the Twin Towers are visible in many of the pictures.
    • 5/5
      I loved this book! It is one of my favorites! The illustrations are so powerful, present such a powerful message! This book was about an African Tribe vowing to keep 14 cows sacred for America. The cows are a way of life for the tribe. Without the cows the tribe would cease to exist.
    • 4/5
      This is a great book to read to kids for gauging how they view other cultures. This book shows kids that my view of success never has to be anyone else's.
    • 4/5
      This is the true story of a tribe in Kenya that had deep compassion for the American people after September 11th. Kimeli, a member of the tribe, had moved to New York to study and was present for the tragedy of September 11th. He went home to his people in Kenya to talk about how they could help. Their story of the symbol of friendship and hope they offered is a very touching one. This is a story that I had never heard before. I'm very glad to see a book about it to teach people of all ages about this kind act from the Kenyan people.
    • 5/5
      Is it okay to say that this story made me cry? I do not believe I can read this again without getting choked up. The story is so human and so divine. It shows that, in the words of Dr. Suess, "A person is a person no matter how small" and that those who might not appear to have much can still give so much. And, those who seem to have it all can also lose a lot. It also illustrates what is important in different cultures and what other cultures believe is valuable. The humanity in this story leaps off the pages.
    • 5/5
      I was introduced to this book in clas, and the timing was perfect. This true story is about the first counry to make a gesture to America after 9/11. I wanted to present a lesson to my 8th graders on the 10th anniversary of September 11, and this book was perfect. it conveyed the seriousness of the day but it was a way that was sensitive to where my adoescent students are emotionally. This is a very moving story of a young African man who decides to give a cow symbolically to America, a gesture only done toward fellow tribes people. This book helped me to impress upon my students' the importance of having a sense of being part of a global communit and the resilience that we can possess.
    • 4/5
      This would be a great book to use to convey the story of 9-11. It's a wonderful way to help students look at an event through the eyes of other people.
    • 5/5
      The story is very touching. It is the story of the Maasai tribe in Kenya giving the USA 14 cows after the attack on New York City in2001. The illustrations are gorgeous - they appear almost like sepia photosClassrroom Use: Unit study on Kenya or Africa. Use as a read aloud to older students in the library, discuss changes they could make.
    • 5/5
      Kimeli travels back to visit his village in Kenya. When asked by a child if he has any stories, he tells them he does. He tells his family about the tragedy of the 9/11 attacks on the United States. His tribe, the Maasai, is "moved to kindness when they hear of suffering and injustice" and they ask what they can do to help. In a wave of compassion, the Maasai tribe greets a diplomat of the US Embassy with a ceremony, a sacred ritual. In honor of the USA, the tribe gives what they value as the most precious gift, 14 cows. At the end of this story, Kimeli telling the detailed story of the day the Maasai gave such a great gift to America.
    • 4/5
      A beautiful story of hope and human connection based on the true story how the Maasai people gave 14 cows to America to ease the sorrows from 9/11. "To the Maasai, the cow is life." "They sing to them. They give them names. They shelter the young ones in their homes." A wonderful book to share with older children from grades 2 to 5.
    • 5/5
      This book is a beautiful book and could be used for many things in the classroom. The author and the illustrator work together beautiful to create a picture. The author also does a great job of describing 9/11 without actually saying what it is. He makes the reader deduce from the clues he provides. It also describes the Maasai people and shows how even the smallest of communities can make an impact.
    • 4/5
      This is a great book which encourages good morals, and human compassion. It tells the story of a Kenyan man who returns home from the United States to tell his people of the attacks on 9/11 and ask a blessing of the elders of his village. Little does he know that an even bigger blessing for the United States of America is in store due to his act of kindness. This is a book to be shared with children to tell the importance of a single act of kindness.
    • 5/5
      This is a phenomenal historical fictional book based on the story of the Masai villagers genuine and authentic gift following the attacks on 9/11. It begins by discussing the arrival of Kimeli, back to his home tribe, The Masai, in Kenya. Many of the small children were excited to see that a warrior had arrived back home after spending time in America. It continues by telling of the value of a cow in the Masai culture, to the Masai people "the cow is life." Many people continue to welcome Kimeli home when he is rushed with painful memories of 9/11. After speaking to the elders the author notes how the Masai people are both fierce and kind. The Masai tribal leaders and Kimeli are moved to present a ceremony and offering of fourteen cows to the a U.S. diplomat as an offering of comfort to the America people in a time of tragedy.
    • 4/5
      Good for pairing with books about 9/11.
    • 5/5
      The text and illustrations in this book are incredibly eloquent and inspiring. Carmen Agra Deedy's book presents a topic that is difficult for young readers to fully understand (September 11th terrorist attacks) in the purely positve, simple context of sympathy, friendship, and generosity. Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah's story in the back of the book is very humbling and inspiring and gives the book a more detailed background. As a teacher and librarian, I would much prefer to read a book like this on Sept. 11th than pretty much anything else dealing with the topic out there. Simply put, this book gives me hope-- and I would love to share that experience with students.
    • 5/5
      An awesome tell of a tribe in Kenya. The story of a man who travels to America on a scholarship to become a doctor. He is in America when 9/11 happens, and he comes home to tell his people what happened. It is a wonderful true story of a peaceful tribe that gave their most prized possession to the American people after 9/11. At the end of the book, there are two pages filled with the man who is becoming a doctors true story. I LOVED this book, and I would recommend it for a good read aloud. It is just simply a good book for everyone to read, whether in school or at home! :)
    • 5/5
      This was the best book I have read so far. It is very good to show what people can do for one another no matter what they have. Words can not describe how this book made me feel. I absolutely loved it. This is the next book I plan to purchase for my classroom.
    • 5/5
      Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah found himself in New York on 9/11. A student in the United States he was far away from his home in Kenya. When he returned home. Moved to do something for the many people who lost loved ones on that terrible day he seeks a blessing from the elders of his tribe. He tells his story to them and asks for him to bless his most prized posession, his cow. The American Ambassador is summoned to their small village and Kimel's gift go America has grown from 1 to 14 as other members of his tribe give from their heart to a people they don't know. This was a very moving story. The Illustrations were outstanding. I can't wait to get back to school and place this on my chalk tray for students to see.
    • 5/5
       This book was a very touching story and I really enjoyed it. One reason I liked this book was because of the illustrations. They were so beautiful and really gave insight about the culture of the Maasai people. The pictures showed the land, their village, and their dress for their ceremony for the Americans. Another reason I really enjoyed this book was Kimeli’s point of view. I had no idea that when he spoke about a September day, that he meant September 11th. He moved people to tears telling the story and since he was from such an isolated and different culture than Americans, it was very touching to see that the Maasai people wanted to help so much. In their cultures, cows are a part of their family, but after hearing the story from America, they were willing to give 14 cows away. That is their livelihood and to see that they wanted to help was moving. I think the big message for this book is to always give what you can. To Americans, fourteen cows may not be sufficient, but to see the meaning of cows to the Maasai people, it shows that the gesture is huge.