Publisher Description

From Coretta Scott King Award-winning creator Ashley Bryan comes a rhythmic picture book of five Nigerian folktales. From the silly tale of a monkey's speech being sprinkled with shoo bee do's and hay baa ba ree bop's to the more poignant story of two young friends--a snake and a frog--being warned away from each other by their prejudiced mothers, these five tales and their striking woodcut illustrations are sure to enchant young readers.

Author Biography

Ashley Bryan (1923-2022) grew up to the sound of his mother singing from morning to night, and he shared the joy of song with children. A beloved illustrator, he was named a Newbery Honoree for his picture book, Freedom Over Me. He also received the Coretta Scott King--Virginia Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, was a May Hill Arbuthnot lecturer, a Coretta Scott King Award winner, and the recipient of countless other awards and recognitions. His books include Freedom Over Me; Sail Away; Beautiful Blackbird; Beat the Story-Drum, Pum Pum; Let It Shine; Ashley Bryan's Book of Puppets; and What a Wonderful World. He lived in Islesford, one of the Cranberry Isles off the coast of Maine.

Prizes

Winner of Coretta Scott King Award (Illustrator) 1981

Long Description

Here are five Nigerian folktales, retold in language as rhythmic as the beat of the story-drum, and illustrated with vibrant, evocative woodcuts.

Details