Africa

May 23, 2021

Elizabeti’s School ~ Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen

Elizabeti’s School

Written by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen

Illustrated by Christy Hale

Elizabeti experiences her first day of school. However, soon after arriving, she begins to miss her family and begins to wonder if they miss her as much as she misses them. Elizabeti makes a few friends and is later excited to be able to share what she has learned at school with her family. Elizabeti acknowledges that “home was surely the best place to be,” but she thinks about how good it felt when she showed her parents the new things she had learned and decides to give school another try. Read more >>

Buy the Book: Elizabeti’s School

Originally posted on May 23, 2021.

May 17, 2021

Jambo Means Hello ~ Muriel Feelings

Jambo Means Hello: Swahili Alphabet Book

Written by Muriel Feelings

Illustrated by Tom Feelings

This is an alphabet book based on words from the Swahili language. My kids enjoyed this book. For a few days they used the words Baba (father), rafiki (friend), and of course, Jambo (hello).

For the word ibada (worship in Swahili), I did have to explain that not all people in the world share our faith and that the Muslim religion is one of the most widespread religions in Eastern Africa. Read more >>

Buy the Book: Jambo Means Hello

Originally posted on May 17, 2011.

April 2, 2021

All Aboard for the Bobo Road ~ Stephen Davies

All Aboard for the Bobo Road

Written by Stephen Davies

Illustrated by Christopher Corr

Follow along as Fatima and Galo ride atop a minibus down “the most beautiful road in the world!” Readers are encouraged to count along as they share in seeing the many sights along Bobo Road, as well as the various items that are added to the minibus. This colorful journey takes place in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Read more >>

Buy the Book: All Aboard for the Bobo Road

Originally posted on April 2, 2021.

March 28, 2021

A Story, A Story ~ Gail E. Haley

A Story, A Story

Written by Gail E. Haley

Illustrated by Gail E. Haley

This is an African tale about how stories came to be. Long ago there were no stories for children to hear, because all the stories belonged to the Sky god. However, Ananse, the Spider man spins a web up to the Sky god and offers to pay for the stories so that he can bring them back to Earth. Ananse bargains with the Sky god and uses his wits to obtain and give the Sky god all that he requested in exchange for the golden box filled with stories. This book tells of how Ananse paid the price. I love the color scheme! Read more >>

Buy the Book: A Story, A Story

Originally posted on March 28, 2021.

March 18, 2021

One Hen ~ Katie Smith Milway

One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference

Written by Katie Smith Milway

Illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes

This is a wonderful story of how one small loan made a difference. Kojo, a young boy from Ghana, used a small loan to buy a hen. After selling the eggs laid by his hen, Kojo is able to repay the loan and buy more hens to lay even more eggs. About a year later, he had built up his flock to twenty-five hens and was able to use the money he was earning to buy a uniform and go back to school.

Kojo later went off to college, studied agriculture and upon graduating, decided to take a big risk and start his own poultry farm. It took some time, but Kojo eventually secured a loan and, as with his very first loan, was able to multiply it exponentially! Kojo built his farm, hired workers and completely changed his community for the good!

As Kojo’s business prospered, he too was able to provide small loans to many, just like the one he received. This is an inspiring, true story of changing the world, one person, family, and community at a time! Read more >>

Buy the Book: One Hen

Originally posted on March 18, 2021.

March 7, 2021

Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters ~ John Steptoe

Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters

Written by John Steptoe

Illustrated by John Steptoe

This is a wonderful African tale about two beautiful sisters. One of the sisters, Nyasha, was not only beautiful, but kind and compassionate. The other sister, Manyaro, was secretly bad tempered and selfish. When the time came for one of the sisters to be named queen, through a series of “tests,” Manyara’s true disposition was made known and Nyasha became queen. I enjoyed this book. It is a great reminder to always treat others with kindness and compassion. Read more >>

Buy the Book: Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters

Originally posted on March 10, 2021.