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Ken Wilson-Max. Halala Means Welcome! A Book of Zulu Words. New York: Hyperion Press, 1998. 32 pp. $11.95 (cloth), ISBN 978-0-7868-0414-6.

Reviewed by Mark P. Snyders (Howard Pim Library, University of Fort Hare)
Published on H-AfrTeach (November, 1998)

Halala!

This book is wonderfully illustrated with its bold colors and images. Children will find it particularly interesting, since the characters illustrate the Zulu words while at play. The book also contains a useful glossary which will show children how to pronounce the Zulu words (a little knowledge of Zulu pronunciation is necessary here though). This book is recommended for children between the ages of 3 and 7 years as well as for older children and adults starting to learn Zulu. The author does accomplish his mission of teaching Zulu words, but the book lacks any cultural emphasis. Neither of the two characters have traditional names (Michael and Chidi), the meanings of which should have been explained. Although Zulu is correctly identified as a language spoken in South Africa, it is in fact one of eleven official languages spoken of which Zulu is mainly spoken on the east coast. These shortcomings are minor. Overall, this is a really great book for kids, and for parents and teachers to read to them.

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Citation: Mark P. Snyders. Review of Wilson-Max, Ken, Halala Means Welcome! A Book of Zulu Words. H-AfrTeach, H-Net Reviews. November, 1998.
URL: http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=2470

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