Dorothy, we're not in Kansas anymore. No, we've headed all the way to Africa. Meet Anna Hibiscus and her wonderful family full of children named Miracle, Sweetheart, Double, Trouble, Angel, Joy and Charity and her Auntie Comfort who lives in the United States and her grandparents for whom the entire family bends a knee out of great respect. There is Uncle Tunde who understands what Anna needs and who shares his heart and his cell phone for texting when a text just must be sent. There is the wisdom of the grandparents who worked so hard so that Anna Hibiscus could live in a great white house with orange trees and not have to sell oranges on the streets. There is Granny Canada who invites Anna HIbiscus to come to visit her to see the wonder of snow. Will Auntie Comfort break the grandparents' hearts when she comes to visit by ignoring her African roots? What lesson will be learned when Anna Hibiscus tries to break out of the silence and boredom of her compound by selling oranges from the family trees? Will Anna ever see that mysterious wonder called snow? Can Anna's mother get the peace and quiet she needs by getting away from the chatter and intrusion of so many family members who sleep together, eat together, work together and play together? The richness of family comes roaring through and the storytelling is a joyful collage of tradition, wonder, and gratitude. Four stories are told with such insight into the universal hearts and minds of children and the messages are warm, wise and reassuring us that the world is truly a wonderful place to be. Heartwarming and not to be missed.
112 pages 978-1536225235 Ages 6-9
Keywords: chapter book, family life, main character female, Africa, clean and wholesome, diverse books, 6 year old7 year old, 8 year old, 9 year old
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From acclaimed Nigerian storyteller Atinuke, the first in a series of chapter books set in contemporary West Africa introduces a little girl who has enchanted young readers.
Anna Hibiscus lives in Africa, amazing Africa, with her mother and father, her twin baby brothers (Double and Trouble), and lots of extended family in a big white house with a beautiful garden in a compound in a city. Anna is never lonely—there are always cousins to play and fight with, aunties and uncles laughing and shouting, and parents and grandparents close by. Readers will happily follow as she goes on a seaside vacation, helps plan a party for Auntie Comfort from Canada (will she remember her Nigerian ways?), learns firsthand what it’s really like to be a child selling oranges outside the gate, and longs to see sweet snow. Nigerian storyteller Atinuke’s debut book for children and its sequels, with their charming (and abundant) gray-scale drawings by Lauren Tobia, are newly published in the US by Candlewick Press, joining other celebrated Atinuke stories in captivating young readers.---from the publisher
