Author: Oyinkan Medubi
Pagination: 74
Publisher: Institute of Media Studies Ltd/GTE
Once again, Oyinkan Medubi heightens excitement for the little ones in this children literature series.
Dedicated to Mama Princess Eunice Nufin Fagbemi, ‘The war of the nuts’ is one of the books in Oyinkan Medubi’s Sunshine and Sparkles Series, with focus on children.
The book offers an exciting reading experience for children and lovers of children literature across its 74 pages that are delivered in 14 chapters.
In the first chapter titled ‘Sparkles Has a Family Problem’, the author delves into the trouble in Sparkles’ house. The squirrels had no food and the mother squirrel sent Sparkles, the father quarrel, out to get nuts for the house. It forced Sparkles to rush out very early in the morning in search of Sunshine, a trusted puppy friend that stays in Mama Rio’ house.
Mama Rio, a retired civil servant, keeps a snailry and fish tank, where both King Kong, a fish and Mrs. Kande, a snail, lead their kind.
However, Sparkles visit ensues argument between King Kong and Mrs. Kande, on why and why not the puppy should help its squirrel friend.
Not minding the argument Sunshine rolls out its cherished cart to ride Sparkles to a far place to get nuts for its family. The author continues with the story of the search for nuts, amid troubles that follow in chapters 2 and 3, 4 and 5. The way he brings to life the struggles and resistance Sunshine and Sparkles face in getting the nuts is exciting too.
Their sad experience of both friends in the hands of Oda and Captain, two big squirrels that locked them up for picking nuts in their area, and the eventual trading of Sunshine’s cart for their freedom by Sparkles, is well-captured in chapter 6.
Sadly, the inevitable missing of Mama Rio’s breakfast while on the search for nuts, and the losing of the cherished cart hit Sunshine as they both walk home from the near-fruitless search, all because of Sparkles’ manipulations.
The story continues across the other chapters as Sunshine got home sick and was taken to a veterinary clinic by Mama Rio, his recovery, and plans for recovering his cart.
After the blame games, the animals supported Sunshine to launch a surprise attack on the squirrels in order to recover the cart.
They overpowered the squirrels, beat Oda and sent Captain away from the abandoned house where they stocked all the nuts, most of which were rotten by the time the animals in Sunshine’s team opened the store.
The recovery of the cart came with little or no injury, while the cart was in bad shape, warranting Mama Rio to threaten to ban Sunshine from using it again as no one could explain to her why the cart was in a bad shape.
The author made a good story from using animals to depict human character.
Medubi also used the likes of King Kong and Mrs. Kande to reflect on people’s different views on life and situations.
While King Kong encouraged friendship, Mrs. Kande did not see reason for friendship when one is always at the losing end.
For the mother snail, there are rules of friendship, which all parties must observe and no one should take advantage of the other’s meekness.
But the fish believes that even if friends offend, they should be given a second chance.
It touches on moral lessons, especially for children like being truthful, honest and appreciative.
For instance, Sparkles lied to Sunshine that he traded its cart for their freedom, but in reality, it was traded for some nuts for the squirrel’s hungry family.
It also teaches support for one another, love and unity as together the animals defeated the bad squirrels, stopped their intimidations, hoarding of the nuts, and opened the store for all animals to get and eat the nuts.
I recommend the book to parents, schools and outfits that handle children care and development.
