An Informative But Slow-Moving Portrait of Tribal Life in East Africa

Only the Mountains Do Not Move: A Maasai Story of Culture and Conservation by Jan Reynolds (Lee & Low Books, 2011, 40pp.)

Reynolds’ book gives a brief overview of the lifestyle of the Maasai, a tribe that lives in Eastern Africa. Although the book is informative, providing us with information on tribal traditions, food, and the different roles of men and women, the text seemed to wander through its subject, and would have been better presented in categorical sections. The author wraps up the book nicely by mentioning the Maasai’s remarkable resilience and ability to adapt in the face of change in the modern world. Also included is a glossary and pronunciation guide of the tribe’s language, as well as providing two websites with additional information about the Maasai. Recommended for Ages 4-8.

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