JOJO’S WIRE CAR

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