Children

By Agatha Aduro

• Title: Ekọñ Ñke: Our Stories
• Author: Ini Ite Ubong
• Publisher: Extra Proff Media
• Number of pages: 190
• Year of publication: 2015
• Category: Children

For many centuries, the oral art of storytelling was an integral part of many African cultures. Each ethnic group has its own treasure trove of folklore, which was used to entertain and provide moral instruction to children during nocturnal sessions held in the moonlight. These activities were an integral part of community life but were sacrificed on the altar of ‘civilisation’. Over the years, traditional storytelling has struggled to keep up with the times, being recreated in various forms so as to be transmitted by the media of the times. More…

By Adaudo Anyiam-Osigwe

• Title: The Freedom Day Party
• Number of pages: 47
• Title: Drop That Phone!
• Number of pages: 27
• Author: Teresa Oyibo Ameh
• Publisher: Grower Literature
• Year of publication: 2015
• Category: Children

The Freedom Day Party is a thoughtful story that considers the battle between Western ideas and traditional beliefs and attitudes, as well as the manifestation of class differences and the personal sacrifices of parents. All these are seen through the eyes of a child who is becoming aware of the world around her, and slowly coming to understand the harsh realities of existence and the need to overcome barriers on the journey towards a fulfilled life. More…

By Adaudo Anyiam-Osigwe

• Title: Refilwe
• Author: Zukiswa Wanner
• Illustrator: Tamsin Hinrichsen
• Publisher: Jacana Media (Pty) Ltd
• Number of pages: 32
• Year of publication: 2015
• Category: Children

The African retelling of ‘best loved tales’, with a primary aim to encourage a love of reading in preschool and nursery school children, is commendable. Introducing children to the world of books and helping them develop a yearning for reading provides them with a platform to progressively experience the vast knowledge the world has to offer. However, there is a distinction to be made between the goal of such endeavours and the routes taken to achieve this aim. More…