Kami and the Yaks

Bay Otter Press proudly presents its debut book:

Kami and the Yaks

January 14, 2008

PHILADELPHIA - The American Library Association (ALA) is pleased to announce the winners of the Schneider Family Book Award, which honors an author or illustrator for the artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences.

“Kami and the Yaks,” written by Andrea Stenn Stryer, illustrated by Bert Dodson and published by Bay Otter Press of Palo Alto, Calif., wins the award for young children. Kami, a young Sherpa boy who is deaf, rescues his family's yaks and livelihood during a violent storm. Stunning, realistic watercolors add depth to a strong story, bringing out the drama of the Himalayan Mountains. Together they perfectly capture Kami's ability to communicate with home signs.

Kami and the Yaks, set in the spectacular scenery of the Himalayas, is a moving story of courage and love. It tells of a young, deaf Sherpa boy whose family is distressed because their yaks are missing. Though his family does not think he can help, spunky Kami sets off to find the animals, using his heightened sense of observation.

The sensitive watercolors by Bert Dodson capture the breathtaking landscape and the determination of the Sherpa people.

by Andrea Stenn Stryer
Illustrated by Bert Dodson
Dual Edition: Hardback ISBN 0977896102 - $16.95
Paperback ISBN 0977896110 - $9.95
For 5 – 8 year olds

Distributed by The Independent Publishers Group (IPG)
Telephone 800) 888-IPG1 (4741)
Fax: (312) 337-5985; or e-mail: orders@ipgbook.com

May be ordered from Amazon.com or your local bookstore.

Reviews

Publishers Weekly  May 14, 2007
Kami and the Yaks
Andrea Stenn Stryer, illus. by
Bert Dodson. Bay Otter (IPG, dist.), $15.95 (48p) ISBN 978-09778961-0-3

Set in a rural Asian community and featuring a child hero with a physical disability, this debut picture book
appears to head toward a moral lesson, but Dodson's skill and Stryer's fast-moving text combine to provide a genuinely rousing story. Kami and his family are Himalayan Sherpas and their strong, sturdy yaks are their most important possessions. When the yaks don't return one day, Kami sets out to look for them with his whistle: "Its buzz tickled his lips, though he could not hear its shrill call because he was deaf." Although he finds the animals and discovers why they won't come back, he can't convince his father to take his gestured warnings seriously. Kami's deafness figures into the story, but it's his grit and resourcefulness that drive the action forward. With a nimble brush, Dodson creates an entire Himalayan world for readers, who-like Kami-can only gather knowledge from what they see. Kami's heavy coat and hat, the sheer cliffs and paths that make up the landscape and the patient yaks all seem close enough to touch. In the end, Kami helps Father rescue the yaks; in contrast to his earlier anger, "Father picked him up and clasped him to his chest." For all the adversity Kami faces, he has the opportunity to do real, important work for his family that modern children often do not; they may read his story not just with interest, but with envy. Ages 5-8. (Apr.)

From School Library Journal April 1, 2007
STRYER, Andrea Stenn. Kami and the Yaks. illus. by Bert Dodson. unpaged. CIP. Bay Otter. Apr. 2007. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-9778961-0-2; pap. $9.95. ISBN 0-9778961-1-0. LC number unavailable.

K-Gr 3-Readers will be transported to the rugged Himalayas with this story of a deaf Sherpa boy in Nepal, who braves a storm in search of his family's yaks. He finds the animals herded around a young calf whose leg is wedged between rocks. Unable to rescue the animal alone, Kami whistles for help. When no one comes, he slips and slides down the icy mountain to get his father and brother. He relates the problem through mime. Together the family rescues the calf, and the plucky hero proudly leads the way home. Although Kami's disability plays an important role in the story, the author focuses on his strength. Readers will find inspiration in his abilities, his resourcefulness, and his courage. Dark, yet vivid watercolors extend the text, as both awaken the senses to the sights, sounds, and feel of the icy cold mountains' austere beauty. This story opens the doors to new worlds and gives readers a character to admire.-Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

From Booklist
"Set in the Himalayas, this strikingly illustrated title focuses on a young, deaf Sherpa boy. When Kami spots his father and brother high on the hillside, searching unsuccessfully for the family's yaks, he follows a hunch and sets off in a different direction to find the animals. During the perilous climb, a storm begins, and although Kami finds the yaks, one is caught between rocks. After scrambling back to camp, Kami uses gestures to communicate his discovery to his father and brother. At last his family understands, follows him to the site, and rewards Kami with appreciative hugs. .... Many children will recognize Kami's frustration and then pride after he bravely solves a family problem, and Dodson's skillfully executed, atmospheric watercolors greatly extend the story's drama and tenderness...." Gillian Engberg © 2007 by American Library Association. All rights reserved.


From Kirkus Reviews March 12, 2007
A deaf Sherpa lad braves lightning and hail to search for his family's missing yaks in this handsomely packaged original tal. A small figure in Dodson's wide, rocky landscapes, Kami sets out on his own before sunrise to find out why the yaks haven't come down from the mountain, as is their wont. Eventually he finds them, protecting a young one whose leg is stuck. Despite a hailstorm that makes his trip back home to fetch help a slippery, dangerous one, and then an inability to explain in words to his father and older brother where he has been, he prevails in the end and proudly leads the animals back down the trail....children will admire the young hero, both for his intrepid spirit, and for his animated use of gesture and playacting to convey the yaks' plight to his confused family. (afterword) (Picture book. 7-9) Copyright Kirkus/BPI Communications. All rights reserved.