Book Bundles: Africa

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Mouni Feddag. Illustrated with vibrant mixed-media drawings of the people, products, and landmarks of Africa, this geographical overview by Atinuke, known for her Anna Hibiscus books set in "Amazing Africa" and others, treats readers to a smorgasbord of countries and customs, emphasizing: "African countries must be the most diverse on the planet!" Colorful hand-drawn maps peppered with spot art--plus words of welcome in a variety of languages--introduce each region of the continent, followed by a page for each country, including a paragraph about what the country is known for, one or two additional facts, and a dynamic illustration. Additional pages cover African religions, hair styles, and obsession with football (a.k.a. soccer). Perfect for browsing or for inspiring internet exploration, the book ends with an index and a list of related links.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Hillary D. Wilson. Historical African leaders--Egyptian pharaohs, Aesop, Hannibal, Mansa Musa, and queens Amanirenas and Idia, and others--are introduced in thrilling accounts (some poetic license taken) of their lives; each entry is accompanied by an eye-catching full-color (speculative) portrait. To convey the breadth and depth of pre-Colonial African culture, Baptiste includes accessible overviews of historical developments such as Carthaginian dominance in the Mediterranean and the formation of trans-Saharan trade routes with the kingdoms of Mali and Ghana. Maps, illustrations, and photos of relevant artifacts (an ivory mask of Queen Idia; a fourteenth-century illustration of Mansa Musa) are sprinkled throughout. An author's note, source notes, bibliography, links for "further exploration," and an index are among the back matter in this fascinating history.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Nelda LaTeef. This lushly illustrated collection of African proverbs proposes a game of sorts. Each of LaTeef's strikingly detailed collage illustrations on acrylic backgrounds comes with four proverbs taken from cultures in Africa: can readers guess which proverb inspired the illustration? African animals, women carrying water, baobab trees, and distinctive architecture form rich visual subjects, while the proverbs offer wisdom such as "Restless feet may walk into a snake pit" and "A single bracelet does not jingle." An answer key at book's end shows the "correct" selection in bold (while acknowledging "proverbs and art are always open to interpretation and conversation!") and annotates the proverbs' countries of origin, which readers can locate on the included map.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam