Sia Lives on Kilimanjaro facts for kids

Sia Lives on Kilimanjaro (original Swedish title: Sia bor på Kilimandjaro) is a children's book. It was written by the famous author Astrid Lindgren. The book also features amazing photographs by Anna Riwkin-Brick.

The first Swedish version of the book came out in 1958. It was published by Rabén & Sjögren in Stockholm. An English version was released in 1959. This book is part of a special photo book series called Children's Everywhere. The story is about a young girl named Sia. She really wants to visit the king at a big celebration. But her father says she is too young. Her brother tells her that only boys are allowed to go. The book shares a message about being determined and believing in yourself.

Sia's Big Adventure

Sia is an eight-year-old girl. She lives with her family on Mount Kilimanjaro, a very tall mountain in Africa. She has two younger brothers, Saika and Kitutu. She also has a younger sister named Linga. Her older brother is Sariko.

Sia's family belongs to the Chagga people. Sia and her siblings help their parents with daily chores. This includes tasks like cutting grass.

The Chagga Feast

One day, Sia's parents decide to go to the Chagga Feast. This big celebration takes place in a town called Moshi. They want to see King Marealle there. Sia really wants to go with them.

However, her father tells her that children are not allowed. He says she is too young for the feast. Sia is told to stay home and look after her younger brothers and sisters.

Sia Follows Her Dream

Sia's older brother, Sariko, decides to follow their parents. He tells Sia that only boys are allowed to go to the feast. But Sia secretly follows him anyway. She thinks her aunt Mamole can take care of her younger siblings.

Sariko soon realizes that Sia is following him. He gets angry and tells her to go back home. He also says he is getting a ride in a truck. He tells Sia she cannot walk all that way. Then, he gets into the truck and leaves Sia behind.

Meeting the King

Sia doesn't give up. She stops some cars and asks for a ride to Moshi. When she arrives in Moshi, she sees mostly boys at the feast. She wonders if her brother was right. Maybe only boys were allowed to come.

She watches some dancers and finally sees King Marealle. Sia is very happy. She tells the King that she traveled a long way just to see him. She also tells him that her brother thought she was too young to be there. So, the King decides to talk to her brother about it.

Meanwhile, Sia's parents are watching. They are surprised to see both their son and daughter at the feast. They had told their children not to come. But now, their kids are talking to the King! They decide not to be angry with them.

After the feast, Sariko tells Sia something important. He says she is not too young to go to the feast after all. He tells her she is as big and strong as Kilimanjaro itself.

Behind the Story

The story in the book is based on real events. However, some parts were changed for the book. For example, Sia's real name was different. The real Sia did not know she was being photographed for a book. She took part in the photos because her father asked her to. Later in life, the real Sia grew up to become a doctor who studied important health topics.

A Film About Sia

The Children's Everywhere book series was very popular, especially in Israel. This was thanks to the poet Leah Goldberg, who translated the books.

On August 5, 2016, an Israeli director named Dvorit Shargal made a film. It was called Africa! Sia Lives on Kilimanjaro. In this 54-minute film, Shargal travels to Africa. She tries to find the real Sia from the book and share her story.

Awards and Recognitions

Awards

• New York Herald Tribunes Spring Festival Award
  • 1963 Children's Spring Book

Nominations

• Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis
  • 1960 picture book

Different Book Versions

The book Sia Lives on Kilimanjaro has been published in many languages. Here are some of the different versions:

• Sia bor på Kilimandjaro (1958): This is the original Swedish version. It was published by Rabén & Sjögren.
• Sia wohnt am Kilimandscharo (1958): This is the German version, published by Oetinger.
• Sia Lives on Kilimanjaro (1959): This is the British English version, published by Methuen.
• Sia Lives on Kilimanjaro (1959): This is the US-American English version, published by Macmillan.
• Sia woont op de Kilimanjaro (1959): This is the Dutch version.
• Sia bor på Kilimanjaro (1970): This is the Danish version.
• Sia anaishi Kilimanjaro (1997): This is a Swahili version.