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Aardema, V. (1976). Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears. New York, New York: Dial Books for Young Readers.
This book tells the story of the coniving mosquito who caused the death of the baby owlett with her mischevious ways. Subsequently, the sun will not rise until the mother owl, who makes the sun rise, finds out who killed her baby owl. The moral of this tale tells the reader why mosquitos BUZZZZZZ, BUZZZZ, BUZZZ!
Aardema, V. (1973). Behind the Back of the Mountain: Black Folktales from Southern Africa. New York, New York: E P Dutton.
This is a compilation of several folktales, including How Blue Crane Taught Jackal to Fly, Tusi and the Great Beast, and The House in the Middle of the Road. The ethnicity of the tale, such as Zulu is identified at the beginning of each tale. Additionally, at the end of the book, the “sources” of each tale are identified.
Alembi, E. (2000). Elijah Masinde, rebel with a cause. Kenya: Sasa Sema Publications.
This chapter book is about life and times of Elijah Masinde, a religious and political figure in Kenya. Told through the eyes of a Kenyan grandmother to her grandchildren, the story begins as a way of demonstrating to the children the need for oral tradition and storytelling about the history of their country. It covers the religious and political resistance Masinde demonstrated when fighting for his country.
Cleveland, R. (2006). The Clever Monkey: A Folktale from West Africa. Atlanta: August Publishers House Inc.
The Clever Monkey is about two cats who are fighting over a piece of cheese. Both cats offer to split the cheese evenly between each other; however, neither cat trusts the other cat to split the cheese evenly. A monkey comes along to offer to “help” the two cats in their dilemma, by splitting the cheese. The money divvies up the cheese by eating it and claiming, “oh, no they are not even,” and east a little more of each piece. Finally the monkey leaves the cats with the most miniscule pieces of cheese-of course the monkey’s belly is full!
Daly, N. (2004). Jamela's dress. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.
Daly shares the story of a young girl named Jamela who is left in charge of watching her mother’s fabric. She quickly becomes swept up in her imagination and parades the streets as a queen. Quickly Jamela realizes she has accidentally destroyed her mother’s fabric and not must find a way to fix it!

Aardema, V. (1976). Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears. New York, New York: Dial Books for Young Readers.
This book tells the story of the coniving mosquito who caused the death of the baby owlett with her mischevious ways. Subsequently, the sun will not rise until the mother owl, who makes the sun rise, finds out who killed her baby owl. The moral of this tale tells the reader why mosquitos BUZZZZZZ, BUZZZZ, BUZZZ!
Alembi, E. (2000). Elijah Masinde, rebel with a cause. Kenya: Sasa Sema Publications.
This chapter book is about life and times of Elijah Masinde, a religious and political figure in Kenya. Told through the eyes of a Kenyan grandmother to her grandchildren, the story begins as a way of demonstrating to the children the need for oral tradition and storytelling about the history of their country. It covers the religious and political resistance Masinde demonstrated when fighting for his country.
McBrier, P., & Lohstoeter L. (2004). Beatrice's goat. New York, NY: Aladdin Paperbacks.
Beatrice Biira is the heroine in this picture book by Page McBrier, based on her real life growing up in Uganda. Beatrice’s family suffered from poverty, therefore was unable to provide the tuition for the local school. Through the gift of a small goat, Beatrice is able to turn her companion into her family’s saving grace, and earn the money to win her spot in school.
McDermott, G. (1992). Zomo the Rabbit: A Trickster Tale from West Africa. Singapore. Sandpiper.
This is teh story of the clever, though not wise rabbit who wants to get wisdom from teh Sky God. In order to recieve wisdome however, the rabbit must accomplis the "Three Impossible Tasks." Rabbit is able to accomplish these tasks, however, the reader discovers at the end why rabbits might be known for running fast.
Njeng’ere, David. (2003). Dedan kimiathi: Leader of the mau mau. Kenya: Sasa Sema Publications.
This story is about a Dedan Kimiathi a renegade for his people, in Kenya against British imperialism during the 1950’s. Dedan Kimiathi is not a popular culture African hero, such as Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, or even Harriett Tubman. However, just as these African Americans fought for social justice for their race, Kimiathi also fought for the social justice-fair treatment of Africans in their homeland.

Rachel Shellman Wiki Lesson Plan Investigating Empowerment in African Folktales
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Alix Toenniessen's Lesson Plan using Beatrice's Goat by Page McBrier
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{MaloneyLiteratureLesson.docx}
Rachel Shellman Wiki Lesson Plan Investigating Empowerment in African Folktales
{ShellmanWikiLessonPlan.docx}

Here is Jen's lesson using the book A Story A Story, by Gail Haley.
{MaloneyLiteratureLesson.docx}
Rachel Shellman Wiki Lesson Plan Investigating Empowerment in African Folktales

There are 57 countries in Africa, count them all and see!
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Nigeria is the most populated country with over 145 million people.
Sudan is the largest country by area.
Languages of Africa: Africa is a linguistically diverse continent; however all the languages are divided into 4 categories.
The information on the languages of Africa and regions where they are spoken, can be looked at more in depth by clicking, languages.