Malaika

A middle-aged man with the crushing weight of his American past seeks peace and a simpler life in rural Kenya. Armed with only his smokes and coffee he discovers a friendship with the most unlikely of friends- a lioness he rightfully names Malaika ( Angel in Swahili). But she is no ordinary lioness nor is he an ordinary man. Between them they share a gift. But not all embrace their bond and some seek to sever it. Discover this new world rich in human truth and sensibility.

How far will a man go to protect his mother? If he's Derek Barlex, all the way to Africa. Derek has a plan: find a strong woman, marry her, and take her home as a companion and protector for his mother. He finds this woman in an African bar. She is feisty, beautiful, and makes his marriage more believable. His plan is perfect; except for one thing.he never planned on falling in love. All her life, Malaika searched for freedom. She's tired of being an orphan, tired of being homeless and tired of being someone's whore. When this handsome young American offers her freedom in return for her hand in marriage; she weighted cost. True love and 'happily-ever-after' are only found in fairytales. However, there are acts of convenience and this proposal proves the point. Even as she accepts the job, she is unaware that her 'happily-ever-after' looms close by. Nicy Bishop was born in Haiti, raised in New York and now resides in Texas. She's worn many interesting hats including those of wife, mother of four, soldier, community volunteer, and nursing student. Nicy loves the Lord and is very active in her church. "Writing is my passion and a source of healing. Christian romance massages the heart and expands its capacity for unconditional love. It shows the inherent beauty of relationships between people who have Christ in their lives or come to know Him in the process of discovering true love, despite life's trials," says the author. "My heart is for women: where we've come from, where we are now and where we have the potential to be. Military travels have afforded me the privilege of meeting many diverse people. These experiences lend to the creation of characters that embrace romance, spirituality and humor resulting in happy endings."

This book contains Short Stories about people who have been weakened by life circumstance not caused by their fault, who have gone on to use that disadvantage to inspire them to triumph over adversity. Often the main character in the book has been an ethnic minority who has been able to use his coping mechanisms for the unfair challenges that life has thrown at him as a strategy to motivate himself to successfully secure paid work in a profession that he wants. Also along this unlikely life journey, the main character finds unconditional love, which is completely unexpected.

When Malaika finds out she is going to have a new baby brother or sister, she worries that her mother will forget about her. But a surprise arrives on Malaika’s birthday that gives her more reason to celebrate her family’s love. It’s summertime, and Malaika and Adèle are enjoying playing carnival in their bright costumes, dancing and laughing in the sunshine. But when Mummy announces that they will soon have a new baby brother or sister, Malaika is unsure how to feel about another change in her family. Will Mummy forget about me? Back at school, Malaika is excited to see her teacher and classmates, and makes friends with a new girl who has recently arrived from a faraway country, just like Malaika. Then on her birthday, a surprise arrives to remind Malaika of the importance of family, and the story ends with a celebration of her family’s love. Malaika’s Surprise is filled with the same warmth and charm as the first two books in the series, with Nadia L. Hohn’s enchanting prose, written in a blend of standard English and Caribbean patois, and Irene Luxbacher’s colorful collage illustrations. Key Text Features glossary key text features Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.4 Ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.3 Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.

Malaika’s mother can’t buy her a carnival costume — will she still be able to dance in the parade? It’s carnival time — the first carnival since Malaika’s mother moved to Canada to find a good job and provide for Malaika and her grandmother. Her mother promised she would send money for a costume, and Malaika marks off the days on her calendar as she waits for Mummy’s letter to arrive. But when the letter finally comes, Malaika learns that there is no money for her costume. Disappointed and upset at the thought of wearing her grandmother’s hand-me-down costume, Malaika leaves the house, running into Ms. Chin, the tailor, who offers Malaika a bag of scrap fabric. With her grandmother’s help, Malaika creates a patchwork rainbow peacock costume, and dances proudly in the parade. This heartwarming story about family, community and the celebration of carnival is written in a blend of standard English and Caribbean patois. Nadia L. Hohn’s warm prose and Irene Luxbacher’s vibrant collage-style illustrations make this a strikingly original picture book. Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.6 With prompting and support, name the author and illustrator of a story and define the role of each in telling the story. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.1 Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.

The Vision of Malaika, Heavenly Messenger, Angel This book is to give children of ages 8-18 a viewpoint of the suicide rate that is alarming and out of control. It will also relates to todays worldly issues on Teen Suicide. This heart felt book will bring your imagination to life.

Malaika learns about her father, who came to Canada as a migrant farm worker when she was just a baby and who shared her love of carnival. Malaika dreams about a man with a basket of fruit and guesses that the dream is about her father. Mummy explains that her daddy passed away long ago, and Grandma decides it’s time Malaika knew more about her father’s life. The family drives to a far-off farm where they receive a warm welcome and visit the orchard where Malaika’s father picked fruit. The farm workers tell Malaika that her daddy had always dreamed of celebrating carnival there, just like back home. Will Malaika agree to be their Carnival Queen for the harvest festival? Nadia L. Hohn and Irene Luxbacher have created another compelling story about Malaika, who finds a way to cope with her sadness about her father through their shared love of carnival. Includes an author's note. Key Text Features dialogue glossary illustrations vignettes Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.6 With prompting and support, name the author and illustrator of a story and define the role of each in telling the story. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.7 With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the story in which they appear (e.g., what moment in a story an illustration depicts). CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.1 Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.

When Malaika moves to Canada, there’s a lot to get used to, especially Carnival in the wintertime! Malaika is happy to be reunited with Mummy, but it means moving to Canada, where everything is different. It’s cold in Québec City, no one understands when she talks and Carnival is nothing like the celebration Malaika knows from home! When Mummy marries Mr. Frédéric, Malaika gets a new sister called Adèle. Her new family is nice, but Malaika misses Grandma. She has to wear a puffy purple coat, learn a new language and get used to calling this new place home. Things come to a head when Mummy and Mr. Frédéric take Malaika and Adèle to a carnival. Malaika is dismayed that there are no colorful costumes and that it’s nothing like Carnival at home in the Caribbean! She is so angry that she kicks over Adèle’s snow castle, but that doesn’t make her feel any better. It takes a video chat with Grandma to help Malaika see the good things about her new home and family. Nadia L. Hohn’s prose, written in a blend of standard English and Caribbean patois, tells a warm story about the importance of family, especially when adjusting to a new home. Readers of the first Malaika book will want to find out what happens when she moves to Canada, and will enjoy seeing Malaika and her family once again depicted through Irene Luxbacher’s colorful collage illustrations. Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.6 With prompting and support, name the author and illustrator of a story and define the role of each in telling the story. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2 Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.