Africa Amazing Africa: Country by Country

Amazing Africa

A first introduction to the Africa continent for young children, with words by bestselling author of the Anna Hibiscus series Atinuke and lively illustrations from Mouni Feddag.

Africa, Amazing Africa is Atinuke's first introduction to the African continent – an exciting starting point for young children. With double-pages to introduce the different regions of Africa (South, East, West, Central and North), each country in Africa is then represented on one page with a colourful half-page illustration from artist Mouni Feddag, a paragraph of descriptive text and then one to three facts, geared towards readers aged 4+; imagined as a diving-off point, to give a sense of the variety of the continent and inspire young readers to find out more about the different countries of Africa.

Category and overall winner of the SLA awards: "A gorgeous walkthrough of all Africa's countries, celebrating the history, languages and culture of the continent." Guardian "This beautifully produced atlas of Africa is a fantastic book for any home library or classroom." BookTrust, the UK's largest reading charity

Author: Atinuke

As soon as I could, I gave up all subjects but storybooks and went off to study literature. I wrote 10,000 words one year to get over a lost love and got into Oxford instead. But the writing I had to do there was so dry that I left. I decided to go Adventuring instead. I lived and travelled in England and France, Morocco and Germany and Spain, sleeping like a nomad on beaches and mountainsides. I sang for my supper, painted portraits, weeded gardens, worked as an artist's model and lived in a round mud hut in the wild wet woods of Wales. One day, pregnant with my first son, I told a story to some bored children at a festival and that's when my proper job found me! I haven't stopped telling stories since.

Illustrator: Mouni Feddag

I finished school at 16 and went straight to England to try studying Psychology in Bristol. I was too young and unfocussed and homesick, and ended up going back to my family and studying graphic design at a local university near Frankfurt (Hochschule Darmstadt). The initial intention was to become an employable graphic designer and improve my photography, but drawing got me so much attention and compliments that I ended up mainly sticking with illustration classes. In the end I graduated with apparently nothing but some ability to draw, so had no choice but to try and earn money as an illustrator, because I am so painfully shy! I ended up picking up a job in my local supermarket to save the deterioration of my social skills and actually found I love working with people, not just watching them – so now I am about to start training to work as a radiographer in a hospital, although I'll never stop drawing.

Book Details:

  • Publisher: Chronicle Books
  • Format: Hardback
  • Print length: 80 pages
  • Dimensions: 25.5 x 1.4 x 29.6 cm
  • Reading age: 6 - 8 years old
  • Publication date: 3 Oct. 2019
  • ISBN: 9781529511505

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What inspired Atinuke to write "Africa, Amazing Africa: Country by Country"?

Author: Atinuke

Atinuke was inspired to write "Africa: Amazing Africa: Country by Country" to celebrate the rich diversity of the African continent and to provide young readers with an engaging and informative introduction to its 55 countries. Drawing on her experiences as a Nigerian storyteller and her Yoruba ancestry, Atinuke aimed to present Africa in a nuanced way, moving beyond common stereotypes that often depict the continent in terms of its challenges rather than its vibrancy and complexity.

The book is designed to be accessible for children, featuring lively illustrations and friendly facts about each country's geography, culture, and notable features. Atinuke's infectious enthusiasm for the subject shines through her writing, making it both educational and enjoyable for young audiences.

Additionally, she emphasizes that the book reflects a moment in time, acknowledging the dynamic nature of African countries as they evolve and change. Her goal was to inspire curiosity and appreciation for the continent's unique blend of modernity and tradition.

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