ISBN: 978-1-56145-490-7 $17.95 ISBN 13: 978-1-56145-490-7 ISBN 10: 1-56145-490-7 Children’s www.peachtree-online.com IN COLLABORATION WITH Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah IN COLLABORATION WITH 14 Cows For ameriCa 14 Cows For ameriCa Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah DEEDY / GONZALEZ / NAIYOMAH They sing to them. They give them names. They shelter the young ones in their homes. Without the herd, the tribe might starve. To the Maasai, the cow is life. IT IS JUNE OF 2002, and a very unusual ceremony begins in a far-flung village in western Kenya. An American diplomat is surrounded by hundreds of Maasai people. A gift is about to be bestowed on the men, women, and children of America, and he is there to accept it. The gift is as unsought and unexpected as it is extraordinary. A mere nine months have passed since the September 11 attacks, and hearts are raw. Tears flow freely from American and Maasai alike as these legendary warriors offer their gift to a grieving people half a world away. Word of the gift will travel news wires around the globe. Many will be profoundly touched, but for Americans, this selfless gesture will have deeper meaning still. For a heartsick nation, the gift of fourteen cows emerges from the choking dust and darkness as a soft light of hope…and friendship. 14 C ows For ameriCa Printed and bound in China Carmen aGra DeeDy has been writing and traveling around the world telling stories for more than twenty years. Her books, including AGATHA ’S FEATHERBED, THE LIBRARY DRAGON, THE YELLOW STAR, and MARTINA THE BEAUTIFUL COCKROACH have received numerous awards and honors. Carmen has performed in many prestigious venues, but children are her favorite audience. Born in Havana, Cuba, she came to the United States as a refugee and like most immigrants sees the world from multiple perspectives. Thomas Gonzalez was born in Havana, Cuba, and moved to the United States as a child, where his family settled in the Atlanta area. The award- winning illustrator developed his style working as an art director, package designer and creative development manager for major corporate clients and advertising agencies. Thomas lives with his wife Noni and daughter Nina near Atlanta. Wilson Kimeli naiyomah received his master of science degree in molecular biology from Stanford University in 2008. He was awarded a Rotary International World Peace Fellowship and will begin studies in peace and conflict resolution at the University of Queens- land in Brisbane, Australia, in spring 2010. Carmen Agra Deedy Carmen Agra Deedy ILLUSTRATED BY Thomas Gonzalez ILLUSTRATED BY Thomas Gonzalez $17.95