A quintessential African story. (Review by Cherry
MacIldowie)
Jojo’s
Wire Car is written and illustrated by Veronica Lamond. She has caught the essence of
what, to most people, would be a pretty ordinary rural event seen throughout
Africa. However, when you read Jojo’s Wire Car, you realise that
it actually embodies the ubiquitous term “Ubuntu”.
Jojo
is a busy little boy who lives with his granny. He is expected to help with the
chores, to do well in school and also to bring in some money. A wire car
competition is announced and, along with all the other village children, Jojo enters
to try to win the prize.
The
story covers how one must use one’s abilities of ingenuity, responsibility, resourcefulness,
honesty, friendship and perseverance to achieve a rewarding goal. I think it
also highlights the extraordinary talents of the bead and wirework artists we
see around us everyday – they must have started off in a similar way.
The
book is beautifully illustrated by Veronica Lamond’s pastel drawings which
capture the rural setting perfectly and her characters are believable and very
likable. This book will appeal to young readers and their parents will be able
to instil the underlying moral message.
Jojo’s
Wire Car
is published by Random House Struik ISBN 978 1 775 84 117-3. Recommended retail
price R90. – Cherry MacIldowie