Beatrice's Goat
Author: Page McBrier
Illustrator: Lori Lohstoeter
Publisher: Aladdin
Year of Publication: 2001
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Horn Book or Kirkus Reviews rating: 3
Summary: This book is based on a true story of Beatrice Biira who lives in impoverished Uganda. She always wanted to go to school but never had enough money. When her family receives a goat as a gift, she starts selling its milk to raise enough money to go to school.
Summary of Professional Reviews: Hornbook gave this book a review of 3. The reviewers really like the warm tones present in the illustrations and the close knit, loving family that is portrayed in the book. They also like that the details in the story represent the everyday activities of the people living in Uganda.
Review by Kitty Anthony: I really like how this book is based on a true story. That makes the readers connect to the book more because they know that these events actually happened to someone. I also like that the author started the story with them living in a new house and then went back and explained what happened to their family to help them get where they are today. The words and sentences may be hard for a beginning reader to read but students in older grades could certainly read this. The beautifully detailed illustrations portray a loving and caring family environment. The written text itself is detailed and tells readers exactly what happened to this young girl in Uganda to help her reach her dream.
This book would be useful when teaching… This book would be very useful when teaching students about different cultures. Since this book about a girl in Uganda, students can see what it is like to live in another country. They can compare and contrast the two countries with a comparison chart.
Teachers can also teach students that not everyone in the world get the same opportunities as them and that it is important for the students to be grateful for what they have. Another thing teachers can teach students is that they will have to work hard to get what they want just like Beatrice. If they really want something they should never stop trying until they get there.
Teachers can also teach their students that it is important to try and give back to the community in some way and help others. This could lead into a class community service project where all students are involved in helping the community.
Illustrator: Lori Lohstoeter
Publisher: Aladdin
Year of Publication: 2001
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Horn Book or Kirkus Reviews rating: 3
Summary: This book is based on a true story of Beatrice Biira who lives in impoverished Uganda. She always wanted to go to school but never had enough money. When her family receives a goat as a gift, she starts selling its milk to raise enough money to go to school.
Summary of Professional Reviews: Hornbook gave this book a review of 3. The reviewers really like the warm tones present in the illustrations and the close knit, loving family that is portrayed in the book. They also like that the details in the story represent the everyday activities of the people living in Uganda.
Review by Kitty Anthony: I really like how this book is based on a true story. That makes the readers connect to the book more because they know that these events actually happened to someone. I also like that the author started the story with them living in a new house and then went back and explained what happened to their family to help them get where they are today. The words and sentences may be hard for a beginning reader to read but students in older grades could certainly read this. The beautifully detailed illustrations portray a loving and caring family environment. The written text itself is detailed and tells readers exactly what happened to this young girl in Uganda to help her reach her dream.
This book would be useful when teaching… This book would be very useful when teaching students about different cultures. Since this book about a girl in Uganda, students can see what it is like to live in another country. They can compare and contrast the two countries with a comparison chart.
Teachers can also teach students that not everyone in the world get the same opportunities as them and that it is important for the students to be grateful for what they have. Another thing teachers can teach students is that they will have to work hard to get what they want just like Beatrice. If they really want something they should never stop trying until they get there.
Teachers can also teach their students that it is important to try and give back to the community in some way and help others. This could lead into a class community service project where all students are involved in helping the community.