It is always thrilling to revisit a beloved character in a new story. Malaika, Carnival Queen by Nadia L. Hohn and Irene Luxbacher is a new Malaika story for readers. In this story, Malaika learns more about her father, a migrant farm worker, and shines a spotlight on these marginalized and incredibly important people.

Malaika has a dream at night and when she tells her Mummy about the dream, she learns all about her daddy, who came to Canada many years ago to pick fruit and send money back home. He got sick and died when she was a baby so Malaika doesn’t remember him. On a visit to the farm where he worked, his coworkers shower Malaika with stories and invite her to be their Carnival Queen.

Nadia L. Hohn has a beautiful way with words. I love how she writes the way her characters would speak, with a patois reminiscent of her culture and heritage. In this story she shines a light on migrant farm workers, people who we often forget about when we are talking about how our food gets to our tables. They are vital members of the farm system and without them, our grocery stores would be a lot less plentiful. This story can become a marvelous jumping off point to talk about food, health, and the journey our produce takes to get from field to table. 

The Malaika stories bring together people from different cultures. There is a beautiful moment in this story where Malaika and her sister gather fabrics from their friends and neighbours, fabrics that reflect their families and their cultures. Those fabrics are sewn together to make a glorious carnival flag. What an inspiring activity to do with your own readers!

Nadia L. Hohn leaves readers with a personal note at the end of the book, explaining her family's connection to the story and the struggles farm workers often face to send money home to their families from many parts of the world.

Irene Luxbacher’s illustrations are luxurious. Using found papers, gouache and soft pastels, Irene Luxbacher creates dreamy landscapes and beautiful up close illustrations of Malaika’s world. Readers cannot help but be drawn into the joy reflected on the pages.