And Anna’s is run ragged babysitting her twin brothers, Double and Trouble. No matter how noisy and rambunctious, family is everything!Īnna learns that first hand in the very first story when she goes on seaside vacation with her parents (Canadian mother, African father) and her two brothers. There are many aunties who work together to shop, prepare food, care for the children, uncles who work, and grandparents who are wise. They will be intrigued to learn how important family is to Anna’s family. Pen and ink illustrations wonderfully compliment the stories.Ĭhildren in North America don’t live in extended families. Children will be happily introduced to Anna’s very large Nigerian family, their traditions, economics and the differences between classes in an age-appropriate way. Such a delightful and entertaining chapter book that contains four individual stories about Anna and her family and their life in West Africa. Nigerian storyteller Atinuke’s debut book for children and its sequels, with their charming (and abundant) gray-scale drawings by Lauren Tobia, are newly published in the US by Candlewick Press, joining other celebrated Atinuke stories in captivating young readers. Readers will happily follow as she goes on a seaside vacation, helps plan a party for Auntie Comfort from Canada (will she remember her Nigerian ways?), learns firsthand what it’s really like to be a child selling oranges outside the gate, and longs to see sweet snow.

Anna is never lonely-there are always cousins to play and fight with, aunties and uncles laughing and shouting, and parents and grandparents close by. Themes: Africa, Nigeria, Family, Traditions, Economics, Class, Poverty, Vacationsįrom acclaimed Nigerian storyteller Atinuke, the first in a series of chapter books set in contemporary West Africa introduces a little girl who has enchanted young readers.Īnna Hibiscus lives in Africa, amazing Africa, with her mother and father, her twin baby brothers (Double and Trouble), and lots of extended family in a big white house with a beautiful garden in a compound in a city.

Anna Hibiscus by Atinuke