Hooray for Anna Hibiscus

June 1, 2013

Gr 1-3-Anna Hibiscus is a young girl who lives in West Africa. Although her life and her customs differ from those of children in other countries, she shares the same childhood curiosity and emotions. Anna lives in a big white house with her immediate and extended family. In these four tales, listeners follow along with Anna as she starts school, sings for a foreign president, refuses to get her hair braided and has to deal with the consequences, and learns how her life differs from the lives of her grandparents and how people on the poor side of her city struggle to survive. Anna has a playful and silly side, so her stories make for fun listening. Mutiyat Ade-salu narrates Atinuke's second title (Walker, 2008) in the series with a sweet voice, using African accents for speaking roles and painting a clear picture of Anna's adventures. A great choice for classroom or home listening.-Jenny Ventling, Greene County Public Library, OH

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

When a talented storywriter and a compelling storyteller get together, the result is an irresistible audio experience. Listen in to four stories about young Anna Hibiscus, who lives with her family in "amazing Africa." Anna is every child--spontaneous, forthright, and loving. She's reticent to perform before visiting school guests, disturbed by modernization in the family compound, thinks she knows the best way to care for her hair, and is wide-eyed at the daily lives of children living across the river. Mutiyat Ade-Salu's soft-spoken voice and confiding tone guide the listener into the thick of Anna's adventures. Her leisurely pace and hints of pregnant pauses heighten the drama. She also voices a calm and wise grandmother and is spot-on as Anna's younger twin brothers, Double and Trouble. A.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2014 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine