Summer Reading Week #3: Hello Africa!

27/6/2016

The first stop on our reading journey around the world as we are heading east is the African continent. Did you know that the African continent consists of 54 countries, covering a total area of close to 12 million square miles and having an estimated population of over a billion? It is therefore the second largest and second most populous continent.

Have a look at a map of Africa and select one country that interests you. If you have Internet access, use the resources on the Primary Portal to discover five fun/curious facts about the country. Otherwise, look for answers at your local library.

Image source: Getting to Know Africa: 50 Interesting Facts

Here is my example. I have picked Ghana, the West African country I lived in for almost 19 years before moving to Hong Kong (I took the photo above in Ghana, at Anomabu):

1. Ghana used to be called the Gold Coast because it is rich in gold and other natural resources.
2. Ghana is the second largest producer of cocoa beans (and therefore you can get delicious and healthy chocolate in Ghana).
3. While English is Ghana’s official language, more than 250 languages and dialects are spoken in Ghana.
4. Ghana has rich storytelling traditions, Kweku Ananse, the trickster spider, being one of the best known and most loved characters.
5. Ghana has a space program since 2012, planning to launch its first satellite in 2020.

Here are some title suggestions of books written by African authors and/or set somewhere in Africa:

Picture Books
Jamela’s Dress (Niki Daly)
Ananse and the Moss-Covered Rock (Eric Kimmel)
Mama Panya’s Pancakes (Mary and Rich Chamberlain)
Emmanuel’s Dream (Laurie Ann Thompson)
Galimoto (Karen Lynn)

Chapter Books
Akimbo and the Lion (Alexander McCall Smith)
Anna Hibiscus; The No. 1 Car Spotter (Atinude)
Journey to Jo’Burg (Beverly Naidoo)
The White Giraffe (Lauren St. John)
The Great Cake Mystery (Alexander McCall Smith)