A text modeled on “The House That Jack Built” stands out for both its subject matter and skillful writing. “This is the cottonseed, oval and slight, / hugged by the soil and warmed with light … / to sprout the Gabi that Girma wore.” An Ethiopian Gabi is a traditional woven cotton garment worn both for warmth and special occasions. From seed to finished product, the text outlines the making of a Gabi. After the cotton is harvested, seeds are removed by hand and the cotton is spun into yarn. The garment, white with a colorful geometric border design, is woven on a large, manual loom before being pieced together. Once the fringe is completed, the Gabi is “ready for trade, / carefully folded and proudly displayed.” The Gabi is carefully selected by a woman, Genet, as a special gift for her husband, Girma. Girma wears his Gabi with pride and shares it with their children, “snuggling under a field of white, / gathering memories into the night…” With flawless rhythm and rhyme, the text includes Amharic words that, if unfamiliar to the reader, are easily discernible in context; there is also a glossary in the back matter. Boldly colored digital illustrations clearly depict the creative process behind these works of textile art.

From seed to harvest, from loom to shop, to a gift for Girma, this lyrical story of the Ethiopian Gabi is a beautiful celebration of weaving, community and culture.



Written in the cadence of The House That Jack Built, this vibrant and lushly illustrated tale pays tribute to the Gabi-- a traditional Ethiopian cloth that is used to celebrate both community and culture. From the tiny seed to the fluffy white cotton, from the steady hands of the farmer to the swift fingers of the weaver, from the busy shopkeeper, to a gift for a loved one, follow the journey of the Gabi that Girma wore in this lively and rhythmic tale that's perfect to read aloud.