A chance to see another culture and family. Warm and reassuring.

Atinuke's Anna Hibiscus books are quite well-known, and sadly form such a small number of books depicting children and their lives in other countries.

Here Atinuke reminds us that in all countries, children can relate to each other with so many similarities and shared experiences, even while noting the differences.

In a post-lockdown world, Tola (who readers other than myself might have read about in other books) and her family are trying to recover from the pandemic's effects. Family members have been scattered to earn money and are now coming together.

In their very small flat in Nigeria, young Tola witnesses and faces problems for various friends and family members and helps to overcome them.

Young readers may be surprised to see the poverty that happens in other countries, the problems they face, here exemplified in one chapter where Tola's guardian can ill afford time off from work to take her to the beach... and that there are different beaches for rich and poor people. But also... that fun and happiness can be found in many places.

I would love for teachers to be able to use this series in class, it's in nice short and straightforward chapters and would be easily read over a few bedtimes at home, raising a lot of thoughts and questions for minds that need to see beyond their own small walls and boundaries.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.

I have so much love for this series, and the latest did not disappoint. Atinuke captures the family dynamics wonderfully, the every day life of Tola and her family in Lagos. Lockdown is mentioned, and this book - with three short stories - is set after.
Atinuke's prose storytelling is beautifully matched with Onyinye Iwu black and white artwork taking the stories even further.
A delightful, engaging series. Not to be missed.

Having read and enjoyed the first book, I knew I had to read the second. I was not disappointed as yet again the charming character of Tola shone through in the three short, linked stories. I love the dynamic between the family members and the black and white illustrations. I'm looking forward to sharing this with the children at school.

A great children’s book set in Nigeria, Lagos with three short stories connected to one another. A unique sense of realism and childhood joy and adventure mixed in this book. Loved the beautiful illustrations