Juma and the Magic Jinn facts for kids
Front cover illustration
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| Author | Joy Anderson |
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| Illustrator | Charles Mikolaycak |
| Cover artist | Charles Mikolaycak |
| Country | United States |
| Genre | Children's picture book |
| Publisher | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
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Publication date
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1986 |
| Media type | Print (hardback) |
| Pages | 32 pp |
| ISBN | 0688054439 |
| [E] 19 | |
| LC Class | PZ7.A538 Ju 1986 |
Juma and the Magic Jinn is a children's picture book written by Joy Anderson. It was illustrated by Charles Mikolaycak. This folktale was first published in 1986. It tells the story of a boy named Juma who lives on Lamu Island. This is a real island off the East coast of Kenya. Juma loves to daydream.
Juma wishes he didn't have to study or follow rules. So, he asks a magical jinn (also known as a genie) for help. This decision leads him on some wild adventures. In 1986, the book won a Golden Kite Award. This award was for Mikolaycak's amazing illustrations. His artwork also helped him win the 1987 Kerland Award. This award recognized his great work in children's literature.
About the Book
Juma and the Magic Jinn is a children's book inspired by African folklore. Joy Anderson wrote the story. Charles Mikolaycak (1937–1993) created the pictures. The book's illustrations are very detailed. They use bright colors and African patterns. They spread across two pages to tell the story.
The book is for children aged 6–9. The folktale takes place on Lamu. This island is off the coast of Kenya. Lamu was settled by Arab traders a long time ago. Most people there are Muslims. Joy Anderson visited Lamu Island. Her visit inspired her to write about a boy's fairy-tale adventure there.
The Story of Juma
On Lamu Island, families often keep a special jar. This is called a jinn jar. It holds a supernatural being called a jinn. Jinns are part of Islam and Arabian mythology. People on Lamu Island usually keep these jars sealed. They don't know if their jinn is good or evil. Because of this, people are often afraid of jinns.
The story begins with Juma in school. He is supposed to be doing math. But Juma is daydreaming instead. He focuses on his own thoughts, not the lesson. So, his teacher sends him home. On his way home, he sees his mother buying fish. His mother tells him off for daydreaming. She suggests he might be better off working with his father. His father cuts mangrove poles. She tells Juma to go home. She also tells him very clearly not to touch the jinn jar.
When Juma gets home, he disobeys his mother. He takes the cork off the jinn jar. Then he calls the jinn. Juma doesn't really believe in magic. But the magic jinn appears! It looks like a young woman. She has black, smiling, cat-like eyes. Her dark hair is tied with amber beads. The jinn offers to grant Juma wishes. Juma wants to go somewhere he doesn't have to study or behave. He wishes to avoid math and writing. The magic jinn grants some of his wishes. Juma is sent away from home. But these turn out to be misadventures. Eventually, Juma finds his way back home. He returns with a new appreciation for his family and home. He also realizes that learning can be exciting and fun.
Awards and Recognition
Juma and the Magic Jinn was published in 1986. In that same year, it received an Honor Book award. This was in the picture book illustration category of the Golden Kite Award. In February 1987, the book's illustrations were praised. They were described as strong and handsome. They used dark, rich colors. These colors emphasized the mystery of the African folktale.
These illustrations helped Charles Mikolaycak win the 1987 Kerland Award. This award recognized his great achievements in children's literature. From September 12, 1993, to May 1, 1994, the McKissick Museum showed an exhibit. This exhibit at the University of South Carolina featured Juma and the Magic Jinn.
