African History African Beginnings James Haskins and Kathleen Benson Paintings by Floyd Cooper   Richly illustrated and rich in information, this picture book introduces the early kingdoms of Africa. Readers are transported thousands of years into the past where they learn of the Nubian culture, the kingdom of Kush and then move forward in time to the kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, Songhay, Benin, and Zimbabwe. The emphases is on the contributions these cultures made to art, science, literature and the downfall brought about by the trade with Europe, colonization, and the loss of as many talented young people to the slave trade. 1998, Lothrop, ages 7 up, $18.00. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot The African Mask Jane E. Rupert   Set in the ancient city of Ife (Nigeria) nine hundred years ago, Rupert's first book explores the culture of the Yoruba people through the eyes of its young heroine, Layo. Twelve year old, Layo is facing the dual challenges of bethrothal and career desires. She has a natural talent for making pottery and desperately wishes to pursue this dream. She must first learn, however, to subjugate personal desires to those of her sex and culture. In learning these lessons, the worlds of the forest and the city - and the traditions the Yoruba lived by - are believably explained. Young readers may be torn between wistfulness for the close and supportive compound life described, and the relief that their own world is not so circumscribed. 1994, Clarion, Ages 10 up, $13.95. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr The Ancient African Kingdom of Kush Pamela F. Service   THis volume introduces the student to an ancient civilization known as the Kush. The Kush tribe lived in Africa, along the Nile in the northern part of what is now Sudan. The Kush people lived by hunting game and gathering wild plants. The Kush were a warring people, and several accounts are given as to countries with whom they fought and won, as well as those they fought and lost. This volume offers an extensive index as well as some excellent added pages throughout the book that discusses what daily life was like in a Kush villa\ge, or what it would be like to be a teenager in Kush. Although a difficult subject, this book presents the material in a way that would be understandable to most middle school students, and to some older elementary students. Students studying Bible history will find this volume most helpful. This is a part of the Cultures of the Past series. 1998, Benchmark Books, Ages 10 to 14. Reviewer: Joyce Rice   And Not Afraid to Dare: The Stories of Ten African-American Women Tonya Bolden   Offering short but complete biographies of ten engaging women, Bolden's book introduces diverse personalities from the 1980's through present times. The author is able to examine the importance and impact of her African-American heroines through factual, unsentimental prose that makes this volume a valuable asset for those seeking improved knowledge in an area of history that was for many years ignored. Some of the better-known women featured in the book include Mary McLeod Bethune, Leontyne Price, Toni Morrison and Jackie Joyner-Kersee. While the somewhat limited vocabulary and simple delivery may cause the stories of these courageous women to appear a little less inspiring than they might have been in a more extensive or elaborate presentation, the straightforward, simple language of the work does render it accessible to a broad range of reading and interest levels, and will make it useful to students working on school assignments. 1998, Scholastic Press, Ages 9 to 13, $16.95. Reviewer: Donna T. Brumby ISBN: 0-590-48080-4 Asante: The Gold Coast Philip Koslow   This attractively laid out book introduces the young reader to one of the kingdoms on the African continent. It is packed with information, but not in a way that the reading is difficult. The book concludes with a chronology, a glossary, and a good selection of references in a section for further reading. Teens interested in other cultures will love the books in this series, parents will easily be engaged, and teachers of African history will find the books extremely useful. Note that the series contains a dozen titles. 1996, Chelsea, Ages 12 up, $15.95 and $8.95. Reviewer: Karen Saxe Black Legacy: A History of New York's African Americans William Loren Katz   This well-written text traces New York City's Black legacy from the days of the Dutch governor in the 1600s to present day. Era by era, Katz reveals how African-Americans helped build New York while they fought to end slavery and discrimination. Katz describes famous black leaders including Sojourner Truth and Malcolm X and important cultural movements including the Harlem Renaissance. This important book is an excellent addition to any home or school library. 1197, ATheneum Books, Ages 10 up, $19.00. REviewer: Rebecca Joseph Egypt, Kush, Aksum, and Northeast Africa Kenny Mann   This informative text is book six in a series of books about Africa. This particular volume explores the rise and fall of some of the great African kingdoms from their founding thousands of years ago to the colonial period. Legends and oral histories are recounted along with geography, culture, and archaeological finds. Beautiful pictures of the region and its artifacts are spread throughout the text. Readers who enjoy this book will be motivated to read others in the African Kingdoms of the Past series. 1997, Dillon, Ages 10 up, $15.95 and $7.95. Reviewer: Rebecca Joseph Ghana, Mali, Songhay: The Western Sudan Kenny Mann   Part of a series of six that examines the rise and fall of great African kingdoms of the past, this attractive book explores the history and legends of the ancient West African kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhay. An explanation of the origin and influence of the Islam religion in the region is also included. Beautiful color photographs and designs decorate the text, accompanied by boxes with further details concerning special topics of interest. A pronunciation guide to new words, bibliography for further reading, and index are also included. An informative book for reference and a beautiful book for pleasure reading. Part of the African Kingdoms of the Past series. 1996, Dillon Press, Ages 10 up, $15.95 and $7.95. Reviewer: Tim Whitney Janjo and Shika: Historic Adventures in Africa Dan Fulani Patrick Kirby   Writing for all reluctant young historians, Fulani allows the reader to accompany an African boy, Janjo, and his pet monkey, shika, on an exciting adventure back in time to 1696-1698, the time of "The Battle for Mombasa". Not only do we experience the historically accurate details of this battle, but we remain entertained by Janjo's interactions with important characters such a as the Queen on Zanzibar and insignificant ones such as Gaston, the cook, who wants to prepare Shika for dinner. Alongside the primary plot, Fulani includes "fact boxes" which provide additional information on characters, places and events within the text. While Kirby uses his drawings to add interesting and humorous asides to the text, he also incorporates maps, architectural layouts and illustrations of objects such as a cutlass - a long, thin knife - and a dhow - a type of Arabian ship - unfamiliar to modern readers. As Kenyatta University History Professor D.M. Misra states in his introduction, "this book brilliantly blends the two primary objectives of education and entertainment". While I eagerly await more texts in the Janjo and Shika series, I hope that American historians will see the need for more texts that make history accessible to students, like Janjo. 1995, Jacaranda Designs, Ages 8 up, $12.95. Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin Juma and the Honey Guide: An African Story Robin Bernard Illustrated by Nneka Bennett   When a honey guide bird calls to Bakari, signaling him to follow to a full hive of honey, his young son, Juma begs to accompany him. On the way, they pass various flora and fauna of East Africa, such as umbrella trees, giraffes and ostriches. When they get the honey, Juma is reluctant to leave any in gratitude to the honey guide, but his father changes his mind. An author's note is included about the Dorobo people and the honey guide bird along with a pronunciation guide for the few Swahili words in the text. The color pencil and watercolor wash illustrations, in warm earth tones, suite the story well. 1996, Silver Press, Ages 3 to 9, $15.95, $13.95 and $5.95. Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan Jungle Jack Hanna's Safari Adventure Jack Hanna and Rick A. Prebeg Photographed by Rick A. Prebeg   Beautiful, color photographs and a brief conversational text combine to take us on a picture-taking safari in Kenya and Uganda. Led by noted wildlife conservationist, Jack Hanna, and his skillful guide Ahmed, the group found, observed and photographed a wide variety of African animals, including baboons, lions and the endangered mountain gorillas. The group also visited a Masai village and learned something about their culture. A map and introduction are included. 1996, Scholastic, Ages 5 up, $12.95. Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan Kente Colors Debbi Chocolate Illustrated by John Ward   Chocolate's beautiful tribute to kente celebrates the beauty and tradition of this West African fabric. Rhythmic verse clearly tells loebreaders about the special meanings of the colors and patterns of kente. For example, emerald kente is for harvest time, blue kente symbolizes love, and ivory represents joy. Ward's rich, vibrant paintings show kente as it worn in Ghana, both traditionally and nontraditionally, from dancers' capes to schoolgirls' skirts. There is an informative author's note at the back of the book which further explains the many functions and meanings of Kente. 1996, Walker, Ages 6 to 9, $15.95, $16.85 and $6.95. Reviewer: Catherine Campbell Wright Kongo Kdongo: West Central Africa Kenny Mann   This book provides insight into the history of the African kingdoms of Knogo and Ndongo. The relationship that Knogo and Ndongo had with Portugual and their participation in the slave trade is explored. How the European's ower changed life in southern Africa through colonization and conflict is examined. Many drawings, photographs, and paintings are used throughout both books to depict the history of these kingdoms. Part of the African Kindgoms of the Past series. 1996, Dillon Press, Ages 10 up, $15.95 and $7.95. Reviewer: Beverly Rice   Let My People Go Patricia McKissack and Fredrick McKissack Illustrated by James E. Ransome   Twelve Bible tales are retold by a freeman of color, Price Jefferies, to his daughter Charlotte. The stories clearly show the similarities between the plight of the African-American slaves and the Jews. The approach the McKissacks have taken allows them to relate the Biblical stories that were the solace of many slaves and to delve as well into the issues of slavery and life in Charleston during the early 1800s. Ransome's illustrations beautifully depict Jefferies at his forge and in other facets of his life. In addition, he has painted glorious illustrations of scenes from the Bible-such as Joseph, at thirty, standing on the steps of Pharaoh's palace with his brothers kneeling before him, and dramatic pictures of Queen Esther. The stories are told in the speech of the day, yet there is no problem understanding the text. Notes and references round out the book. 1998, Atheneum, Ages 5 up, $20.00. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-689-80856-9 Monomotapa, Zulu, Basuto: Southern Africa Kenny Mann   This book provides insight into the history of the African Kingdoms of Monomotapa, Zulu, and Basuto. How the European's power changed life in southern Africa through colonizaiton and conflict is examined. Interspersed are legends, oral histories, and contemporary events. Many drawings, color photographs, and paintings are used throughout to depict the histroy of these ancient kingdoms. Part of the African Kingdoms of the Past series. 1996, Dillon Press, Ages 10 up, $15.95 and $7.95. Reviewer: Beverly Rice A Most Dangerous Journey: The Life of an African Elephant Roger Caras   Starting with the birth of an African elephant, young readers will come to identify with Ndovu, the "main character" of this nonfiction book, as he bonds with his herd, make long journeys with them in search of food and water, and is finally kicked out of the herd for rowdy behavior. Ndovu's life is painted in detail, including the sounds, sights, and smells (from an elephant's point of view) of life on the African grasslands. As Ndovu wanders on his own and then with another male companion, sometimes joining a herd to mate, he is in danger obeing killed by ivory poachers. An exciting, suspenseful, and educational book that was written by an author who has made 27 trips to Africa to study elephants. 1995, Dial, Ages 12 up, $15.99. Reviewer: Jyotsna Sreenivasan Oyo, Benin, Asanti: The Guinea Coast Kenny Mann   Part of the African Kingdoms of the Past series, this extremely readable reference work gives the history of West Africa's Guinea Coast from ancient days to the arrival of the Portuguese in the 1470s to the slave trade that wracked the area and up to the present day. Mann doesn't gloss over the fact that many Africans had always kept prisoners of war as slaves, and in fact enjoyed a lucrative business with white slave traders in later years. However, Mann also introduces young readers to the glories of ancient Africa, from its magnificent cities and art to to stories and traditions of its people. While acknowledging the impact of Western culture, the author notes that Africans "are still proudly distinct peoples with their own languages, traditions and belief systems." The book includes marvelous photos of old treasures and modern cities. 1996, Dillon Press, Ages 8 up, $15.95. Reviewer: Donna Freedman   To Be a Drum Evelyn Coleman Art by Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson   Mat and Martha's daddy tells them a story about the spirit of African people. He uses the image of drumbeats to explain their history and accomplishments. Coleman's simple, repetitive narrative is amplified by Robinson's art-collages of fabric scraps, raw cotton, clay, and other evocative elements which primary art teachers should find both fascinating and inspirational. 1998, Albert Whitman, Ages 4 up, $16.95. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr ISBN: 0-8075-8006-6 Tree of Life: The World of the African Baobab Barbara Bash   The life of the baobab tree is fascination and active. Children will enjoy the array of animals that take sustenance from the tree. Usually when I think of a tree, I think of an inanimate object whose only activity takes place during the changing of the seasons. This tree truly has an active life, which includes tiny insects, enormous elephants and even man. An exciting and educational story for children. 1989, Sierra Club, Ages 8 to 11, $5.95. Reviewer: Leila Toledo Who Comes? Deborah Chandra Illustrated by Katie Lee   It is evening on the African savanna when readers open Chandra's Who Comes? One-by-one, thirsty animals visit a waterhole for a drink as a hungry lion creeps closer and closer. Each potential prey is hauntingly described - "A shadow slides between the trees. Someone softly stirs the leaves. Twilight rides upon his back. Who comes? Who?" - before the animal is revealed. Suspense mounts until the inevitable strike by the lion and a zebra meets its death. After the kill, the other animals return to the waterhole to drink, safe from the lion for the time being. The wild beauty of both the hunter and hunted is reflected in Katie Lee's paintings. Each scene, whether illuminated by gold setting sun or moonlight, captures the vitality and grace of the animals and the richness of the African plain. 1995, Sierra, Ages 5 to 10, $16.95. Reviewer: Victoria Crenson Yorubaland: The Flowering of Genius Philip Koslow   This attractively laid out book introduces the young reader to one of the kingdoms of Africa. It is packed with information but not in a way that the reading is difficult. The book concludes with a chronology, a glossary, and a good selection of references in a section for further reading. Teens interested in other cultures will love these books, parents will easily be engaged, and teachers of African history will find the books extremely useful. Note, the series contains a dozen titles. 1996, Chelsea, Ages 12 up, $15.95 and $8.95. Reviewer: Karen Saxe Zenj, Buganda: East Africa Kenny Mann   The history of Africa is not always explored in great depth in elementary school, and this book goes a long way in correcting that oversight. The story of the Land of Zenj, present day Somalia, Kenya and Tanzania begins with he early descriptions of Egyptian trade with the land of Punt. This was the East Coast of Africa, and it was a very important trading center for hundreds of years. Settled early by Persians, Zenj was a great trading center for many years. It was the arrival of the Portuguese that brought war, revolution, bloodshed and the end of a golden era of trade. In the nineteenth century trade items such as ivory, guns, cotton and slaves became important commodities , and elaborate trade routes stretched far into the interior. Slaves were often captured to carry the ivory and other goods to the Coast. This informative book is well documented with photographs, illustrations and maps, and includes a list of books for further reading. Part of the African Kingdoms of the Past series. 1997, Dillon Press, Ages 10 up, $15.95 and $7.95. Reviewer: Kristin Harris To stay up to date on new books on this topic, consider subscribing to The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. For your free trial, click here.