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Stories from around the World: Africa

Southern Africa

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters
(inspired by Xhosa Folk Tales)
by John Steptoe
 
 
 
 
 
The tale of Mufaro's two daughters, two beautiful girls who react in different ways to the king's search for a wife - one is aggressive and selfish, the other kind and dignified. The king takes on disguises to learn the true nature of both girls andof course chooses Nyasha, the kind and generous daughter, to be his queen.
 
Classification: Picture Book - EN PB S (Junior Collection)

Africa

African Myths

by Gary Jeffrey and illustrated by Terry Riley

This beautifully illustrated title introduces readers to the imaginative and exciting world of African mythology. The story of creation from the Yoruba of West Africa, the tale of Anansi the spider from the Ashanti of Ghana, and the Story of the Dog and Jackal from the Bushongo people of Zaire provide suspense, action, and extensive information about the cultures and animals these myths discuss.

 

Classification: EN 398.2 JEF (Junior Collection)

West Africa

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears
A West African Tale
 
retold by Verna Aardema
 
Front Cover
In this astonishingly beautiful and imaginatively illustrated picture book, Mosquito tells Iguana a tall tale that sets off a chain reaction that ends in jungle disaster. Iguana is so upset at being told such nonsense that he plugs his ears. So, of course, when Python says good morning, Iguana doesn't hear and ignores him altogether. Python suspects Iguana is plotting mischief against him, so he hides in a rabbit hole - which terrifies Rabbit. And so this amusing African legend goes, until finally the chain of mishaps reaches Mother Owl, who reacts by refusing to hoot and wake in the sun.
 
Classification: Picture Book - Award Books (Infant Collection)

Africa

Tortoise's Dream: A Folk Tale from Africa

by Joanna Troughton (Author)
 
This is a charming, cumulative African tale in which a tortoise dreams of a miraculous tree bearing all the fruits of the Earth.
 
Classification - Picture Book - PB T (Infant Collection)

Kenya

Wangari's Trees of Peace
A True Story from Africa
by Jeanette Winter
 
As a young girl growing up in Kenya, Wangari was surrounded by trees. But years later when she returns home, she is shocked to see whole forests being cut down, and she knows that soon all the trees will be destroyed. So Wangari decides to do something - and starts by planting nine seedlings in her own backyard. And as they grow, so do her plans...
 
Classification: Picture Book - EN PN W (Junior Collection)

Africa

Hare and the Hungry Elephant

retold by Andrew Fusek Peters and Polly Peters

A mysterious monster has stolen all the delicious calabash from Hare’s field. Can clever Hare work out who it is and save her dinner?

As part of the Ten Tales from Different Cultures series, this traditional African tale is retold by expert storytellers Andrew Fusek Peters and Polly Peters.

Classification: Picture Book - PB P (Infant Collection)

Ashanti/Asante

Anansi the Spider
A Tale from the Ashanti
 
retold by Gerald McDermott
 
In trying to determine which of his six sons to reward for saving his life, Anansi the Spider is responsible for placing the moon in the sky.
 
Classification: Picture Book - Award Book (Infant Collection)

West Africa

Zomo the Rabbit: A Trickster Tale from West Africa
by Gerald McDermott
 
Zomo the rabbit, a trickster from West Africa, wants wisdom. But he must accomplish three apparently impossible tasks before Sky God will give him what he wants. Is he clever enough to do as Sky God asks? 
 
Classification - Picture Book - PB M (Infant Collection)

Kenya

Planting the Trees of Kenya: the story of Wangari Maathai

by Claire A. Nivola

This is the story of Wangari Maathai, winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize and founder of the Green Belt Movement, Wangari came home from college to find the streams dry, the people malnourished, and the trees gone. How could she alone bring back the trees and restore the gardens and the people?

Classification: EN 398 (Junior Collection)

Egypt

We're Sailing Down the Nile: A journey through Egypt

by Laurie Krebs and Anne Wilson

There is so much in store on this incredible journey: enormous statues and temples, the legendary Sphinx, tombs and mummies, and of course the Great Pyramids. With hieroglyphs on each page, a god or goddess associated with every destination, and informative notes at the end, you will be an Egypt expert in no time! 

Classification: Picture Book - EN PB K (Junior Collection)