(2) K-3 Illustrated by Baba Wague Diakite. In this contemporary fable, Jamari forgets to beat the djembe drum, "the keeper of peace in our village," and a volcano erupts. The repeated refrain of the beating drum invites group participation, and the incorporation of Swahili words gives the story an authentic feel. Painted on glazed tiles, the illustrations use a rich palette of browns.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2005

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Julia Cairns. "We all went on safari, / when the day had just begun. / We spied a lonely leopard. / Arusha counted one. moja." Ten Maasai children take turns counting wildlife on the African plain; the Swahili number follows. Well thought out, with visually striking watercolor images, the book ends with appendices on Tanzania's animals, the Maasai, Swahili names, Tanzania, and Swahili counting.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) K-3 While a Kenyan family picnics by a lake, every other spread gives five or six Swahili vocabulary words matched with pictures from the family's picnic. Although the black-outlined paintings are attractive and child-friendly, the story line is thin and the family's culture is more recognizably western than African.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) K-3 Colors of the World series. Illustrated by Jeni Reeves. Using ten colors, this informative book gives readers a glimpse into Kenyan culture, geography, and wildlife. Each double-page spread introduces a color--in English and in Swahili, Kenya's national language--and a topic related to that color. The Masai people, baobab trees, flamingos, and Mount Kenya are some of the subjects covered. Pronunciation keys for the colors are provided. Ind.

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson