Michel Chikwanine was five years old when he was abducted from his schoolyard soccer game in the Democratic Republic of Congo and forced to become a soldier for a brutal rebel militia. Against the odds, Michel managed to escape and find his way back to his family, but he was never the same again. After immigrating to Canada, Michel was encouraged by a teacher to share what happened to him in order to raise awareness about child soldiers around the world, and this book is part of that effort.
Africa
Materials from Africa
Double Trouble
Anna Hibiscus welcomes not one but two new baby brothers in her latest picture book. It’s going to be a big adjustment for everyone, especially Anna Hibiscus. Luckily, her family knows that while two babies mean double the trouble, it also means double the love.
Mummy Cat
Mummy Cat prowls his pyramid home, longing for his beloved owner. As he roams the tomb, lavish murals above his head display scenes of the cat with his young Egyptian queen. Hidden hieroglyphs deepen the tale and are explained in an informative author’s note.
Sense Pass King: A Story From Cameroon
Despite a jealous king’s repeated attempts to get rid of her, Ma’antah continually manages to outwit him and proves herself worthy of the name Sense Pass King.
To Dinner, For Dinner
Juhudi, a small rabbit, outwit a mighty leopard who wants to eat her for dinner. She is such a clever animal, she has already fooled Leopard not once but twice! However, this harvest season Juhudi has run out of tricks. To make matters worse, now she is plumper than ever thanks to her bountiful garden.
Here Is The African Savanna
Cumulative text describes the interdependence among the plants and animals of an African savanna. Giraffes, lions, hippos, elephants, and many more animals are all part of the food web of the African savanna.
Home
Cooking pot, stool, basket, water pot and sleeping mat? All kinds of things around the home, with a vibrant mix of Western and traditional African objects
Clothes
Hat, shorts, long skirt and top, wrapper All kinds of things to wear, with a vibrant mix of Western and traditional African clothing.
Food
Mango, rice, plantain, okra? All kinds of delicious things to eat, with a vibrant mix of universal and African foods.
Ife’s First Haircut
Chineze thinks her little brother Ife’s hair is messy! But soon it’s time for Ife to have his first haircut. Uncle Mike very carefully cuts Ife’s hair with his scissors and a comb, and afterwards there’s a party for Chineze and her family to celebrate Ife’s very first haircut.