Orani: My Father's Village
Title: Orani: My Father's Vilalge
Author: Claire A. Nivola
Illustrator: Claire A. Nivola
Publisher: Frances Foster Books/ Farrar Straus Giroux
Year of Publication: 2011
Genre: Nonfiction- Autobiography
Horn Book Review rating: 1
Summary: Reminiscing on her many summers spent in Orani, Nivola takes us on a journey through a simpler lifestyle. After witnessing a wedding, seeing a new born baby, and a dead body she realizes that the experiences she had are only her's and no one else knows about them unless she shares with others.
Summary of Professional Reviews: This book creates a world in watercolor and gouache painting of a small town with many intimate scenes. The pictures painted both visually through the illustrations and mentally with the words cannot necessarily be described as nostalgic, but as one from a child's perspective. The child learns to thrive in this nurturing close-knit community that has a simple way of life, but created many memories.
Review by Terese Wylie: Immediately upon opening the book you are transported to a small island that is beautiful in more ways than one. Nivola's artistic abilities recreates the beauty of the Sardinian landscape as well as her written text makes you feel as if you are on the island with her. As you journey with her through the summer and the many adventures you begin to grow up with Nivola. The townspeople were there with open arms and allowed her to grow up with their own children. This was the perfect escape for Nivola as a child, she could forget the hustle and bustle of New York City and live in a simpler lifestyle with people who knew everyone.
This book would be useful when teaching…
Author: Claire A. Nivola
Illustrator: Claire A. Nivola
Publisher: Frances Foster Books/ Farrar Straus Giroux
Year of Publication: 2011
Genre: Nonfiction- Autobiography
Horn Book Review rating: 1
Summary: Reminiscing on her many summers spent in Orani, Nivola takes us on a journey through a simpler lifestyle. After witnessing a wedding, seeing a new born baby, and a dead body she realizes that the experiences she had are only her's and no one else knows about them unless she shares with others.
Summary of Professional Reviews: This book creates a world in watercolor and gouache painting of a small town with many intimate scenes. The pictures painted both visually through the illustrations and mentally with the words cannot necessarily be described as nostalgic, but as one from a child's perspective. The child learns to thrive in this nurturing close-knit community that has a simple way of life, but created many memories.
Review by Terese Wylie: Immediately upon opening the book you are transported to a small island that is beautiful in more ways than one. Nivola's artistic abilities recreates the beauty of the Sardinian landscape as well as her written text makes you feel as if you are on the island with her. As you journey with her through the summer and the many adventures you begin to grow up with Nivola. The townspeople were there with open arms and allowed her to grow up with their own children. This was the perfect escape for Nivola as a child, she could forget the hustle and bustle of New York City and live in a simpler lifestyle with people who knew everyone.
This book would be useful when teaching…
- Orani: My Father's Village can be used in a lesson on cultural backgrounds
- Orani: My Father's Village can be used in a compare and contrast lesson: compare life of Orani to the life in America