Diamonds

Unique and interesting to share with young people. This book is a great starting point for teaching a wealth of themes such as poverty, mining and inequality.

'Diamonds' is an original style of picture book that relies heavily upon the artistry to tell the narrative. Due to the originality of the style, this book is accessible for a range of audiences.

The story tells of a wealthy woman who is getting ready to go out and adorning herself in diamonds. Her daughter, Carolina, begins asking her questions about where the diamonds come from and how much they cost. This conversation opens a narrative about how diamonds are mined from the earth and are very valuable. Carolina notes that their servant - Amina - who is from Africa, isn't wealthy despite coming from a country where diamonds are mined. The narrative ends and the story is completed with no narrative, but detailed illustrations.

Amina puts Carolina to bed where the illustrations change to the perspective of Amina - picking up a shovel, digging for diamonds amongst hundreds of other workers, working under cruel conditions with guns held to their backs. The perspective changes again to the cruel employers, taking the diamonds and selling them to wealthy business owners who fly them to be sold further, ending in the jeweller's shop where they are sold for a lot of money.

This story is sad but interesting to read. It clearly highlights the injustice of how diamonds are mined and sold at the expense of the cruel working conditions of the people mining. Throughout the illustrations, there are images of the workers being exploited by the mine owners and it draws the story full circle to Carolina's mother being presented with further diamonds to adorn herself.

Diamonds had me hooked. It is original and very unusual which makes it so fascinating to discover. The illustrations, which complete the story in black and white, are cleverly drawn to evoke empathy for the miners and draw attention to the corrupt and lethal malpractice of mining for diamonds.

Excellent for use in a classroom to draw attention to this process and opening a dialogue to discuss with young people and array of themes.

36 pages /  Reviewed by Joanna Hewish, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 9+

Unique and interesting to share with young people. This book is a great starting point for teaching a wealth of themes such as poverty, mining and inequality.

'Diamonds' is an original style of picture book that relies heavily upon the artistry to tell the narrative. Due to the originality of the style, this book is accessible for a range of audiences.

The story tells of a wealthy woman who is getting ready to go out and adorning herself in diamonds. Her daughter, Carolina, begins asking her questions about where the diamonds come from and how much they cost. This conversation opens a narrative about how diamonds are mined from the earth and are very valuable. Carolina notes that their servant - Amina - who is from Africa, isn't wealthy despite coming from a country where diamonds are mined. The narrative ends and the story is completed with no narrative, but detailed illustrations.

Amina puts Carolina to bed where the illustrations change to the perspective of Amina - picking up a shovel, digging for diamonds amongst hundreds of other workers, working under cruel conditions with guns held to their backs. The perspective changes again to the cruel employers, taking the diamonds and selling them to wealthy business owners who fly them to be sold further, ending in the jeweller's shop where they are sold for a lot of money.

This story is sad but interesting to read. It clearly highlights the injustice of how diamonds are mined and sold at the expense of the cruel working conditions of the people mining. Throughout the illustrations, there are images of the workers being exploited by the mine owners and it draws the story full circle to Carolina's mother being presented with further diamonds to adorn herself.

Diamonds had me hooked. It is original and very unusual which makes it so fascinating to discover. The illustrations, which complete the story in black and white, are cleverly drawn to evoke empathy for the miners and draw attention to the corrupt and lethal malpractice of mining for diamonds.

Excellent for use in a classroom to draw attention to this process and opening a dialogue to discuss with young people and array of themes.

36 pages / Ages 9+ / Reviewed by Joanna Hewish, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 9+