Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie Kingsley
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Young African girl learns value of family in sweet series.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In the ANNA HIBISCUS series, young Anna lives in what she calls "Africa, amazing Africa" with her grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, mom, dad, and twin brothers, nicknamed Double and Trouble. Anna's family lives in a compound, but she learns about the world beyond the walls, and learns to be kind and compassionate, especially toward those who have less than her family. When she learns that hers is the only well that still has water and that other families are suffering, she tries to make it right. Anna is obsessed with snow and wants to visit her grandmother in Canada (several books are dedicated to her trip), but wonders if her family in Africa will miss her at all. The family goes on longer adventures and just into town, but the stories always return to the importance of family, love, and kindness toward all.
Is It Any Good?
This is the rare series that works for both pre-readers and beginning readers, because the stories are short but vibrant and packed with details. And the single-story books have lots of beautiful illustrations. Anna Hibiscus brings readers into a culture not usually explored in young children's literature in the United States, but readers can easily relate to Anna's feelings. Fluent readers will read these quickly, but the vocabulary and characters' names will keep their attention, and the books are great to be read aloud.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how family is portrayed in the Anna Hibiscus series. Ann's family is so big, and all of the family members are so much a part of one another's lives. How is your family like Anna's, and how is it different? What do you think of the names of the children?
Anna's mother moved from Canada and to Africa. Did your family move to a new country, or do you know anyone who did? Why would someone move to a new country, and what might be hard about that?
What other stories about big families have you read or seen in the movies or on TV? Which are your favorites?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Lauren Tobia
- Genre : For Beginning Readers
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : EDC Publications
- Publication date : September 1, 2010
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 110
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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