Stars: *****

I'm including this as a book for the Africa Reading Challenge but will still be reading all the other ones since this is just a picture book.

This is book I just picked up at the library. It’s in the 2-3 years section but I think it should be 4-8. The book goes through the alphabet and for each letter something about African life is talked about.

For example:
“Cc is for a Canoe to paddle down the river. Canoes are used for fishing and carrying goods to market. People may visit their friends or take their children to school by canoe.”
“Rr is for river. Africans believe many rivers are sacred. In villages, they take care to keep their river clean and they set aside special areas for fishing, washing and swimming.”

The pictures are full-colour photos of kids and people in Africa. When I read it to my 2 year old I just explained each picture in my own words and she really enjoyed it.

Another challenge! In 2008, I'll be reading six books that either take place in Africa, are written by African Authors or deal with African issues.

Here's my list:

We Wish To Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families by Philip Gourevitch
When a Crocodile Eats the Sun by Peter Godwin (Also for In Their Shoes)
Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela (Also for Whitecoulls)
A Long Way Home: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmae Beah (Also for Book Around the World)
Don't Let's Go To the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller (Also for Book Around the World)
Listening for Lions by Julius Lester

Extras/Alts:
The Old African by Julius Lester
African Princess by Joyce Hansen