Children's Books about Africa
Even though my kids aren't with me on this trip to Africa, I've been trying to find ways to bring them along virtually. Reading books and looking at pictures is one way to do that, and has been a fabulous leaping off point for discussions about traditions and folklore, how people live around the world, some of the things we take for granted, and some things (like being in a family) that are the same no matter where you live.
I thought I'd share some of the books we've been reading. Even if Africa is only a distant dream for your family, it's fun and rewarding to learn about a new place.
Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky
This Caldecott winning book is based on a Nigerian story about how a visit from Ocean caused Sun and Moon to move to the sky.
Buy on Amazon: Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky
Eyewitness: Africa (Eyewitness Books)
The picture-packed Eyewitness Books series is especially great for learning about places that look very different than where we are. This one does a nice job of covering a lot of ground, both in terms of the number of cultures represented, and in terms of the topics covered.
Buy on Amazon: Eyewitness: Africa (Eyewitness Books)
In this story, a mother and son walk from their village to the market to buy flour for pancakes. On the way, the son excitedly invites each of his many friends to join them for dinner. His poor mom, worried about how far she can stretch their limited flour clucks and worries about each new guest. At the end of the story, each guest arrives with a gift of food, and their feast is doubled many times over by their generosity. This book is a great leaping off point for many different discussions depending on what your child is interested in. One way you might go is with a concrete discussion about how lives look different in many parts of the world, but that values around family and sharing are the often the same. Another aspect of the story is the fact that we don't all have the same resources, but we can find ways to help each other out.
Buy on Amazon: Mama Panya's Pancakes
Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain
The soothing pictures and rhyming story in Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain
Buy on Amazon: Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain
Some books were given to me by the publishers for review and I have donated them to my childrens' school library. If you buy the book using the Amazon link, I earn a small commission, and that income helps me keep the site going.
3 comments |
Posted on May 9, 2012 |
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Luciana Misura on May 9, 2012 at 10:02 p.m.
Nice! I have one suggestion to your list, also in Africa: How Giraffe Got Such a Long Neck: ..And Why Rhino is so Grumpy by Michael J. Rosen. My 4 year old likes it a lot :-)
Londoner on May 10, 2012 at 5:41 a.m.
I am really thanksful to you for giving me such an idea to represent the life and folklore in Africa in so interesting and entertaining way to my kids! Even more so, as my husband is from African-American descent and has ever been proud with it:) Thanks so much for the ideas once again!
Amy on May 10, 2012 at 3:43 p.m.
Reading books during my childhood is what made me want to travel so much. Even if I couldn't physically visit a foreign place, I could go there through a book. Now, I can see all of those wonderful places I read about.