A Is for Africa [Paperback]

Ifeoma Onyefulu (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1997

Stunning color photographs depict everyday life in Nigeria in this unusual ABC book by a talented African photographer. "An incisive, sophisticated view of her homeland's rich heritage."--Publishers Weekly.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"This alphabet is based on my own favorite images of the Africa I know," writes Onyefulu, a member of the Igbo tribe who grew up in Nigeria and now lives in London. And though her penetrating photos were taken in her native country, she notes that the traditions and spirit she hopes to convey are common to "all the peoples of this vast, friendly, colorful continent." The beautifully composed color photos, arranged alphabetically by subject, feature objects or practices representing various facets of African customs and culture: "B is for the Beads a girl may wear on her head, ears or neck"; "R is for River. Africans believe many rivers are sacred." Emphasized throughout are individuals' affection and concern for one another ("E is the embrace we give our loved ones"; "K is for Kola nuts offered to guests to show warmth and friendship"; "S is for Shaking hands"). A talented photographer, Onyefulu affords her audience an incisive, sophisticated view of her homeland's rich heritage. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

A London-based photographer offers images of traditional life and culture in her Nigerian homeland. Sharp, sun-drenched photos filled with smiles and bright colors create an idealized impression of village life, with little evidence of poverty and only occasional, inadvertent, signs of modern influences--a child wearing a T-shirt, or oil lamps made from recycled milk tins. In an introduction and many of the brief captions, the author suggests that the drums, beads, mud huts, family structures, and other details she captures on film represent Africa in microcosm, a risky sort of reductionism. The diversity--and unities--of African culture are evoked more effectively for younger readers by Musgrove's Ashanti to Zulu (1976); the photos in Chiasson's African Journey (1987) provide a more multifaceted view of village life. Visually appealing, but simplistic. (Picture book. 5-8) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (July 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140562222
• ISBN-13: 978-0140562224
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 10.9 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #71,304 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #4 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Explore the World > Africa
  • #46 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Baby-3 > Basic Concepts > Alphabet
  • #99 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Explore the World > Fiction

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fun Way to Learn the Alphabet!, January 19, 2001

By 

Melissa Salter (Shawano, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Is for Africa (Paperback)

This children's book offers an inviting glimpse into West African traditions. From "A is for Africa" to "I is for Indigo", the author Ifeoma Onyefulu uses important aspects of West African life to represent each letter of the alphabet. The book is appropriate for kids of all ages. My daughter is one year old, so I simplify the book by reading just the first sentence of each page, such as "V is for village". The text continues to describe that "V is for the village, where many people live together, sharing the same traditions and beliefs. The old people in the village teach the young ones the old customs, as they were once taught themselves." The photographs in this book are not only beautiful, but very representative of West Africa. Every child interested in Africa should have this book! I am looking forward to reading Ifeoma Onyefulu's other children's books.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars We are different-We are the same - a review of "A is for Africa", February 3, 2006

By 

Pam Tee "Busy Mom" - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: A Is for Africa (Paperback)

As a mom of two I like to supply a variety of books for my children and I like this one as it has proven it's usefulness on a couple of levels.

First, it can be used as an alphabet book; and second it can be used as apart of an Africa social studies unit.

I particularly like that the pictures are upbeat and cheerful, all the while portraying a world that is very much unlike our own.

And what do the children think? They like pouring over the pictures and wondering what kind of candies are on the table under the umbrella of the market trader. ;-)


Three and a Half Stars. At these prices I think you might want to take a look at this book if you are looking for a super simple book on Africa. [And there's always the library.]

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great photos, September 12, 2009

By 

Sherli J. Morgan "Sherli" (Charlotte, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Is for Africa (Paperback)

This book is super! It has fabulous photos of kids & adults in Africa, and many animals. It's a good, good book to help children visualize another part of the world!