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A delightful bedtime tale, set on the African plains. The sun has set and the moon is rising, and that means it’s bedtime. But not if Lala has a say — because she’s not ready to go to sleep! First she needs to say good night to the cat. And the goat. And the chickens. And, and, and … Lala’s adorable stalling strategy will ring true for all parents whose little ones aren’t ready to say goodbye to the day — and all will appreciate the wonderful culmination to the bedtime ritual.

In an African village live seven brothers who make family life miserable with their constant fighting. When their father dies, he leaves an unusual will: by sundown, the brothers must make gold out of seven spools of thread. If they fail, they will be turned out as beggars. Using the Nguzo Saba, or “seven principles” of Kwanzaa, the author has created an unforgettable story that shows how family members can pull together, for their own good and the good of the entire community.

A special bond grew between Lawrence Anthony and the matriarch of the elephant herd he rescued as he patiently helped the elephants after relocating them to the Thula Thula Reserve. Even after Anthony’s death, the elephants remember him. This touching, true story is handsomely illustrated with soft, realistic acrylic painting. Informative back matter and additional resources are included.

Written in the voice of Mother Africa, who speaks to her children — human beings — this picture book expresses the love between mother and child as it celebrates humanity’s common roots. Told in beautifully evocative free verse, with dreamlike watercolors that sharpen as they move closer to contemporary life. Includes back matter with nonfiction information about human evolution and about the migration of Homo sapiens from Africa around the globe. 

Their cattle were being killed by lions, but Richard Turere’s inspired invention solved a problem that had plagued the Maasai people — with only limited resources but much creativity. Illustrations vividly portray the African landscape near Nairobi National Park where the lions live. Additional information about the inventor and his invention is included.

Anna Hibiscus lives in Africa, beautiful Africa, with her large and happy family. The sparkling language echoes the Nigerian author’s storytelling background and reads well independently but also makes a good read aloud. This is the first in a series of realistic stories about Anna and her marvelous family.

This popular French comic follows the adventures of a mischievous West African girl. Poor Akissi! The neighborhood cats are pursuing her to steal her fish, her little monkey Boubou almost ends up in a frying pan, and she’s nothing but a pest to her older brother Fofana, but Akissi is a true adventurer, full of silliness and fun, and nothing will scare her for long!

A young boy on a crowded bus (dala dala) discovers that, after some wiggles and giggles, there’s room for everyone in this lighthearted rhyming picture book set in Zanzibar.

Dedicated to the work of contemporary Black artists from around the world, this engaging book introduces young readers to twenty-six contemporary artists from Africa and of the African diaspora, working in everything from painting, sculpture, and drawing to ceramics, installation art, and sound art.

This is the true story of a touching gift bestowed on the United States by a tribe of Maasai Warriors in the wake of the September 11th attacks. Accompanied by richly hued illustrations, this story of generosity and compassion crosses boundaries, nations, and cultures.

Omar and his younger brother, Hassan, flee Somalia’s war to become refugees in a United Nations camp in Kenya. Based on Omar’s life, this riveting story is honestly told yet conveys a clear sense of hope. The graphic format provides an entry into the sights, sounds, and challenges of living in a sprawling camp. Back matter provides additional information and detail about Omar and his life story.

Kioni is missing on soup day at school, the time when everyone comes together to make soup. He’s busy chasing his errant goats — until he figure out that the goats can share something special. Rich collages illustrate the story set In a Kenyan village. A delicious-sounding recipe for pumpkin vegetable soup is included.

Focus on one family and one letter: B is not only for baby, but brother, banana and more. A charming baby and mother travel through the pages of this colorful book with lots to explore in each image while listening to alliterative language. Set in Africa, perhaps the author’s native Nigeria, this is sure to delight young readers from around the world.

Anais speaks French in her native African country but must use English in her new home in Maine. It’s difficult to learn English, make new friends and adjust. When her grandmother insists that Anais corresponds with her in English, not French, she asks her granddaughter to note one good thing about America each time. Though sometimes difficult, Anais does which ultimately helps things improve in this sweet, hopeful story of immigration.

The entire family will enjoy how Precious solves her first mystery — a thief in school! Written by the author of The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency adult books, the narrator brings the book to life with a lyrical voice ideally bringing the characters to life. This is sure to please the entire family.

Energetic illustrations depict a day in the life of animals on the African savanna. They lunge and trot, leap and scurry as they hunt and are hunted. The animals’ speeds are noted in a concluding note. 

A poetic, playful look at an orangutan family in the wild takes as they dance their way through the trees of the rainforest. A poetic form called the “tanka” combines with animated illustrations for a jaunty glimpse of these appealing primates.

An assigned pen pal correspondence between an American girl and a boy from Zimbabwe that started in grade school becomes a cultural exchange and a lifelong friendship. Sophisticated readers will appreciate the contrast between the cultures and how friendship can span great distances.

Tembo, a young elephant, explores the savannah but always responds when Bibi, her grandmother, calls. The large format and dramatic illustrations complement the comfortably repetitious narrative while presenting an elephant herd.

A young Ashanti boy invites readers to visit his West African village, famous for fine kente cloth, and to share his “magic” — a masterful imagination. Kofi is an engaging scamp whose vivid “daydreams” that transport him to other places will speak to children everywhere and present them with a clear vision of his beloved West African world. [School Library Journal]

“Hello, Stranger-Friend” begins Maya Angelou’s story about Thandi, a South African Ndebele girl, her mischievous brother, her beloved chicken, and the astonishing mural art produced by the women of her tribe. With never-before-seen photographs of the very private Ndebele women and their paintings, this unique book shows the passing of traditions from parent to child and introduces young readers to a new culture.

Lalla wants a malafa, but gets it only when she discovers what it means. Set “deep in the Sahara,” the culture is evoked by handsome illustrations including the beautiful, textured malafas worn by the women in Lalla’s family. The author’s note reveals that the setting is Mauritania in West Africa which also details malafa use in Mauritanian culture.

Little Chick is not distracted like his mother, Mama Nsoso. He only chases tasty treats after their ilome, a warm new home of grass and mud, for his family is complete. This lively telling based on a fable told by Nkundo people of Central Africa is illustrated with swirling, animated illustrations, complementing the alliterative, onomatopoeic language.

Anna Hibiscus and her life in contemporary Africa come to life occasionally using authentic-sounding accents to create a strong sense of place.