With magical illustrations from Joan Rankin, and poetry from masterful storyteller, Wendy Hartmann, The African Orchestra lyrically captures the magic of the African sounds of nature. From the clicking of crickets to the crackle of the fire, follow the journey that celebrates these sounds, in the rhythm and music of Africa.

A classic trickster folktale told with humor and charm, this is a perfect read along book both parents and children will love.  When Anansi the Spider finds a strange moss-covered rock in the forest, he uses it to trick all his animal friends. But Little Bush Deer is onto Anansi's scheme, and hatches a plan to beat him at his own game. Based on tales originating in West Africa and familiar in Caribbean culture, the five-book Anansi the Trickster series is full of slapstick humor and mischief. Eric A. Kimmel’s imaginative energy combined with Janet Stevens’ expressive illustrations create the perfect silly stories for fun-loving kids.

When Anansi the Spider gets stuck in a melon, he decides to pass his time by doing what he's best at—tricking the other animals around him.   When his melon begins talking, Elephant is so impressed he decides to take it to show the king.  But Anansi can't resist the opportunity to make jokes at the expense of everyone they meet. Even the King loses his temper over Anansi's bold remarks—but how will the Spider free himself?   Anansi's quick thinking will delight readers who love to watch a master trickster at work, and the bold illustrations of the animals' frustrated faces are sure to make kids laugh.    Based on tales originating in West Africa and familiar in Caribbean culture, the five-book Anansi the Trickster series is full of slapstick humor and mischief. Eric A. Kimmel’s imaginative retellings combined with Janet Stevens’ expressive illustrations create the perfect silly stories for fun-loving kids.

Anansi, the cunning spider of Ashanti folklore, spins another one of his clever tricks in Anansi Does The Impossible! a humourous tale for young ones age four to eight. In order to purchase some stories from the Sky God, Anansi needs some rare items to barter. He concocts a plan with the help of his wife, Aso. The award-winning illustrator Lisa Desimini illustrates Verna Aardema’s exciting story.

In this remarkable retelling of Beauty and the Beast, award-winning illustrator Pat Cummings creates an enchanted fairy-tale world flavored by the art, architecture, and culture of West Africa, while writer H. Chuku Lee stays true to the story of this beloved classic. With breathtaking palatial settings inspired by the Dogon tribe of Mali and dazzling costumes reminiscent of the clothing seen on Cummings's own trip to Africa, Beauty and the Beast becomes so much more than just a story—it's a visual and cultural experience. When her father is taken prisoner by a fearsome Beast, Beauty begs the captor to take her instead. The Beast agrees, locking her away in his palace. Though he will give her whatever her heart desires—jewels, gowns, her own living quarters—she is forbidden to leave. Over time, however, Beauty sees the gentler side of the Beast, and an unexpected bond forms. But will it be strong enough to break a curse that threatens the Beast's life? Supports the Common Core State Standards

A beautifully illustrated African tale of how Ki-pat, a herd boy, ended a dreadful drought. In this traditional tale, discovered in Kenya, a young herd boy Ki-pat must find a way to save the animals that live on the Kapiti Plain by ending a long and terrible drought. Authored by Verna Aardema, Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain is a delightful rhyming tale full of bright and vivid illustrations by Beatriz Vidal. The cumulative rhyme is a joy to read aloud and a wonderful way to engage young children.

From celebrated legend Ashley Bryan, a lavishly depicted cautionary tale of fearlessness and many-headed monsters. There was a little boy who knew no fear... Nope, no fear at all. Not even when his grandma warns him of the giants—the two-headed giant and his three-headed brother, that is. Because this wild, fearless boy isn’t scared of any many-headed giants at all! So one day, he slips away. He just takes off and leaves his grandma behind. After all, what does he care? He’s got his mangoes, and the sunshine, and his flute. And he isn’t scared one bit. But our boy isn’t really bad, you know; just wild. And soon he misses his grandma. So he turns around, and runs right into—those monsters. He’s about to discover that he may indeed have something to fear…their terrible, horrible singing voices! This trickster tale from the French Artilles will have readers toe-tapping and trying out their own singing voices.

Traditional tales about trickster Mbeku the tortoise are favorite among the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. Lively, comical illustrations accompany this spirited retelling of a traditional tale that makes its point about selfishness while making readers laugh. Full color.

In this story, the young girl Ra-Eli watches as her family agonizes over the illness of her baby brother Samson. When they approach a healer, the answer comes: "Hold a ceremony to honor your ancestors and ask them to help, a joyful ceremony filled with guests." "Joyful?" my mother said. "How can we be joyful at a time like this?" "A joyful ceremony it must be," replied the healer. "Nothing less will bring the ancestors from their lands of the night. Let's seek joy in hope." And there follows one of those magical sequences that are found in the traditional tales of East Africa, where Tololwa comes from. First, neighbours and friends come to the event — then angels and finally Mola — God. Music and dancing ensue, and when the exhausted Ra-Eli wakes, Mola hands the now recovered baby to his joyful mother. This story is a true testament to the power of ceremony and music and the honouring of ancestors who come, from the lands of the night.

Nobel Peace Prize winner and noted Maya activist Rigoberta Menchú Tum brings the world of her childhood vividly to life in The Girl from Chimel. This evocative memoir for children is beautifully illustrated by noted Mazatec-Mexican artist Domi.

The Honey Jar brings us the ancient stories the author's grandparents told her when she was a little girl, and we can imagine her listening to them by the fire at night. These Maya tales include creation myths, a classic story about the magic twins (which can also be found in the Popol Vuh), explanations of how and why certain natural phenomena came to exist, and animal tales. The underworld, the sky, the sun and moon, plants, people, animals, gods and demi-gods are all present in these stories, and through them we come to know more about the elements that shaped the Mayas' understanding of the world. Rich and vibrant illustrations by Domi perfectly complement these magical Maya tales.