Book Report: Thank You, Omu!

58. Oge Mora, Thank You, Omu! (2018) (11/16/21)

First off: Omu is pronounced Ah-moo, and means "queen" in Igbo, one of the languages of Nigeria. It also, for some—such as the author of this book—means simply, "Grandma."

This is a charming story of a woman who is making a thick red stew, and as she lets it simmer, she sits and reads. Or tries to. Because as the stew simmers, its scent wafts out over the neighborhood, and people are drawn, irresistibly. First, a little boy. Then, a police officer. Then, the local hot dog vendor. To each of these, she gives a bowlful of her thick red stew. And they are soooo appreciative.

Throughout the day, people from all across the neighborhood knocked on Omu's door. She fed a shop owner, a cab driver, a doctor, an actor, a lawyer, a dancer, a baker, an artist, a singer, an athlete, a bus driver, a construction worker. . . . Even the mayor stopped by!

And each time they knocked, Omu shared.

You can surely see where this is going. I won't spoil it, except to say that in the end, "That dinner was the best she ever had."

The illustrations for this book are collage, created "with acrylic paint, china markers, pastels, patterned paper, and old book clippings." The effect is rustic, homely (in the best way), happy. I loved the look of this book.

Here are some samples:

This book is a celebration of a loving, giving spirit. What more matters, really?