“Africa is not a country—it is a vast continent made up of 53 nations. . . From the tiny island nations of Comoros, Syechelles, and Sao Tome and Principe, to its largest country (Sudan), Africa is the only continent with land in all four hemispheres.”
Z-baby (age 10) read this book, and commented as she read:
“You mean Africa is bigger than the United States?”
“It says Africa is almost as wide as it is tall. No way!”
“Here’s what I don’t understand: why is it when they talk about Africa on the radio they always talk about the children? Something’s always happening to the children?”
“Pula is the name of the money in Botswana and it also means rain.”
“It told about this girl who sold milk, and she carried it on her head.”
I thought this book, consisting of several brief stories of children in various African countries and colorful illustrations depicting the children’s lives, was a good introduction to the continent of Africa and the idea that it is a vast place with many different nations and cultures. Z-baby learned some things, but she was not terribly impressed with the book or its content.
Unit study and curriculum uses for Africa Is Not a Country: Africa, world geography, Black History Month, cultural geography.
Nonfiction Monday is being celebrated today at the blog Wrapped in Foil.