In the spirit of Mother Goose, Off to the Sweet Shores of Africa and Other Talking Drum Rhymes is a colourful collectionof original African inspired ryhmes. Fun to read aloud, these playful ryhmes conjure West African village life. As in classic nursery ryhmes, the verses are inhabited by charming characters who impart simple wisdom or evoke sure silliness, making this collection not only distictively African, but wonderfully universal. Exquisitely detailed illustrations by Julia Cairns, an engaging author's note and glossary make this enchanting collection from Afirca's sweet shores to ours.

About the Author

Uzo Unobagha was born in Nigeria. She lives in the USA with her husband. This is her first children's book. Julia Cairns was born in England and lived in East Africa. She now lives in USA

Reviews

Gr 1-4-From the vibrant patterned endpapers to the rich, warm watercolor paintings in which dark-skinned villagers appear throughout, this is a beautifully designed volume. In an introductory note, Unobagha explains her desire to create a series of simple rhymes to portray West African culture in a way similar to the Mother Goose rhymes' presentation of European tradition. Although the author successfully incorporates numerous children and adults, animals, objects, and customs into her verses, the poems do not always scan or rhyme and are not always easy to read or recite. The selections in Virginia Kroll's Jaha and Jamil Went Down the Hill: An African Mother Goose (Charlesbridge, 1994) deliberately imitate specific Mother Goose rhymes, while Unobagha's are more original and strive to capture the spirit of the nursery verses rather than their exact style. Unfortunately, many of her poems begin with vivid imagery but fail to maintain their imagistic quality to the end and sometimes fizzle out inconclusively. A few terms, such as "ging-gong," are not included in the glossary and may leave readers wondering if they are African terms or just nonsense words created to carry out the rhymes. This book will be useful for libraries building large collections of materials on African heritage, but not for those looking for a storyhour resource.-Ginny Gustin, Sonoma County Library System, Santa Rosa, CA Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

..."not distinctly African, but wonderfully universal."

In the introduction to this collection, inspired by traditional Mother Goose rhymes, Nigerian-born Unobagha says that she hopes these verses about Africa will deliver "important cultural messages to readers" about her homeland. Unobagha is at her best with onomatopoetic sounds that conjure the rhythms of village life, as in a spread of music rhymes ("Ifidom the village drum/ Rolled around on his tummy-tum") or nature sounds ("`Rush!' says the tradewind,/ `Rush! Rush! Rush!'/ As it races through the leaves"). Less successful verses rely heavily on devices and forms used in the original Mother Goose rhymes ("Here we go round the mulberry bush" becomes "Here we go dancing the rumba dance") or awkwardly strain for effect: "Round and round/ My wrapper wraps,/ Round and round/ My tiny waist,/ Round and round/ She flaps and laps,/ When I'm in a mighty haste." The playful, joyful rhymes brim with African words and shed light on culture and customs, and a helpful glossary at the end of the book explains unfamiliar terms. Cairns's watercolors burst with energy as silhouetted characters walk the shores of the Limpopo River and dance to the market. Varied, artful designs feature not only full-color paintings of animals, plants, baskets and village scenes, but plenty of spot art and bright borders that resemble African fabrics. All ages. (Sept.) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.