cynthiak's review
5.0
True story of a Kenyan village boy becoming a medical doctor in the U.S. Always follow your dreams!
gigiinzim's review against another edition
4.0
Both my daughter and I loved this book. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is endearing and inspiring.
I would prefer for the story to have a Kenyan author but overall it was enjoyable none the less
I would prefer for the story to have a Kenyan author but overall it was enjoyable none the less
rachelemm's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the simple, elegant writing style of this book beautifully complemented by the rich illustrations. I also really enjoyed the book's message of determination and persistence. So often we see the 'white saviour' trope where a well-intentioned white man saves the poor little African boy but Bonyo Bonyo saves himself through the help of his village and by using his own initiative. I appreciated that when Bonyo achieved success, he came back and helped his own people. The fact this is all based on a true story and that proceeds from the sale of the book goes to support worthwhile causes makes the read all the more worthwhile.
rin_84's review against another edition
5.0
This is such a beautiful yet very inspiring story about a boy named Bonyo Bonyo whose first name is the same as his last name.
Bonyo Bonyo came from a poor family of farmers in Western Kenya where they planted their own crops and rear their own livestock animals. They were so poor yet they worked really hard and find their own happiness in their own ways like Bonyo Bonyo who enjoys playing football and listening to the stories told by his grandmother.
I enjoyed reading this story and learn about the lives Bonyo Bonyo and his family and the culture of the Kenyan people. One of their culture that impresses me is 'Harrambee' or the concept of togetherness. I just loved how everyone is helpful towards each other including in helping Bonyo Bonyo in achieving his dream of becoming a doctor.
Besides that, this remarkable story taught us to work hard and to keep on going despite how hard and difficult our lives are. The story also taught us to be creative & innovative and self-subsistence/self-reliable and to make the most with what we have.
The best part of all is where Bonyo Bonyo finally successfully achieved his dream of becoming a doctor and opened a clinic in his home village which is named after his late mother known as 'Mama Pilista Bonyo Memorial Health Centre' which was established since year 2006.
The most memorable lines that strucked me the most is where he said,
"Follow your dream, don't let anything stand in the way. Others will help you if they see you are determined. But if you need courage, look inside yourself, you will find it there".
Bonyo Bonyo came from a poor family of farmers in Western Kenya where they planted their own crops and rear their own livestock animals. They were so poor yet they worked really hard and find their own happiness in their own ways like Bonyo Bonyo who enjoys playing football and listening to the stories told by his grandmother.
I enjoyed reading this story and learn about the lives Bonyo Bonyo and his family and the culture of the Kenyan people. One of their culture that impresses me is 'Harrambee' or the concept of togetherness. I just loved how everyone is helpful towards each other including in helping Bonyo Bonyo in achieving his dream of becoming a doctor.
Besides that, this remarkable story taught us to work hard and to keep on going despite how hard and difficult our lives are. The story also taught us to be creative & innovative and self-subsistence/self-reliable and to make the most with what we have.
The best part of all is where Bonyo Bonyo finally successfully achieved his dream of becoming a doctor and opened a clinic in his home village which is named after his late mother known as 'Mama Pilista Bonyo Memorial Health Centre' which was established since year 2006.
The most memorable lines that strucked me the most is where he said,
"Follow your dream, don't let anything stand in the way. Others will help you if they see you are determined. But if you need courage, look inside yourself, you will find it there".
gothicvamperstein's review against another edition
4.0
This is a wonderful true story that shows that dreams can come true. I loved the illustrations and the message of the story, but I felt the narrative was a bit distant.
starsaligned's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
5.0
It was a sweet, and true, story about about who achieved his dreams. I loved every aspect of it, especially the drawings and the Colours that they used.
elizabethlk's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars.
Bonyo Bonyo by Vanita Oelschlager is the uplifting tale of Dr. Bonyo Bonyo, a real doctor from a small village in Kenya. This picture book shows his journey from childhood to adulthood, from Kenya to the USA, and back to Kenya.
This story really emphasises the importance of getting an education and following your dreams, no matter how far away they may seem, and it shows us how we can achieve anything, especially when we work together within our communities. Dr. Bonyo's story is an important one, and it is worth reading here. The illustrations really bring the story to life, and I have to say they were probably my favourite aspect of this book. I think the writing style was a little too passive, but the story was interesting enough to help move it along.
I would definitely recommend Bonyo Bonyo to anyone looking for a good picture book about a real person, or anyone hoping to share the story of Dr. Bonyo Bonyo with the children in their lives.
Bonyo Bonyo by Vanita Oelschlager is the uplifting tale of Dr. Bonyo Bonyo, a real doctor from a small village in Kenya. This picture book shows his journey from childhood to adulthood, from Kenya to the USA, and back to Kenya.
This story really emphasises the importance of getting an education and following your dreams, no matter how far away they may seem, and it shows us how we can achieve anything, especially when we work together within our communities. Dr. Bonyo's story is an important one, and it is worth reading here. The illustrations really bring the story to life, and I have to say they were probably my favourite aspect of this book. I think the writing style was a little too passive, but the story was interesting enough to help move it along.
I would definitely recommend Bonyo Bonyo to anyone looking for a good picture book about a real person, or anyone hoping to share the story of Dr. Bonyo Bonyo with the children in their lives.
librarywonders's review against another edition
3.0
I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley
This is a sweet story about a boy from a Kenyan village 60 years ago who from childhood nurtured a dream of becoming a doctor. And in true 'boy from African village' fashion as he grows up a little he thinks the way to the best education must be through a western country. So he travels to the US to become a doctor.
The illustrations are done in very bright colours which I think many children would like, and I found the story to be told in simply enough language that most children would be able to follow along.
I think the core elements of this story are similar to many other African people, maybe especially from older generations, who made it to Europe or the US. At least it's quite similar to stories that I've heard from relatives. Ideally this book would have been written and illustrated by somebody East African, but I'm happy the story is out there nonetheless - for a wider, non-African audience, and this book did a fine job of telling the story.
It'd probably give it 2,5 stars (rounded up to 3 on here)
This is a sweet story about a boy from a Kenyan village 60 years ago who from childhood nurtured a dream of becoming a doctor. And in true 'boy from African village' fashion as he grows up a little he thinks the way to the best education must be through a western country. So he travels to the US to become a doctor.
The illustrations are done in very bright colours which I think many children would like, and I found the story to be told in simply enough language that most children would be able to follow along.
I think the core elements of this story are similar to many other African people, maybe especially from older generations, who made it to Europe or the US. At least it's quite similar to stories that I've heard from relatives. Ideally this book would have been written and illustrated by somebody East African, but I'm happy the story is out there nonetheless - for a wider, non-African audience, and this book did a fine job of telling the story.
It'd probably give it 2,5 stars (rounded up to 3 on here)
carolmia's review against another edition
4.0
This is a wonderful children's book based on a true story.
It describes the journey of Bonyo Bonyo who was born in a small village in Kenya. Although his family was poor and could not afford to pay for his school he was able to graduate high school, attend University in the United States and become a doctor.
After becoming a doctor he fulfilled his childhood dream of building a hospital in his village and "give back" to his people. It is truly a inspirational story.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this publication in exchange for an honest review.
It describes the journey of Bonyo Bonyo who was born in a small village in Kenya. Although his family was poor and could not afford to pay for his school he was able to graduate high school, attend University in the United States and become a doctor.
After becoming a doctor he fulfilled his childhood dream of building a hospital in his village and "give back" to his people. It is truly a inspirational story.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this publication in exchange for an honest review.
musicalknitter's review against another edition
4.0
This is a very inspiring story about a boy being able to make his dream come true. I hope it inspires more children to dream their dreams!
I received an arc from NetGalley.
I received an arc from NetGalley.