Isaac Olaleye

Summary:
This is a multicultural book about a young boy named Yusuf who lives with his family in an African village located in the middle of the rain forest. In this story Yusuf is trying to protect his palm sap from a bunch of hungry baboons. He goes through a number of trials and does not give up until he can find a solution to this problem.
Personal Reaction:
I loved how this story took me to another place in the world. The illustrations in this book were also very creative and fun.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
After reading this book to my students I would do a short geography lesson on what kids their age do each day in Africa.
I could also have the students share their ideas on how to keep the baboons away from the palm sap.… (más)

This fiction book is about an African Rain Forest Adventure. The two main characters, Ade and Tayo, are left to do chores by their mothers in their village. Instead of doing their chores they decide to go into the Rain Forest to go on an adventure. The boys ended up at a lake where they waded in the water and ate wild berries. Trouble came in their way when a big snake was attacking them. The boys were trapped by the snake on a certain part of the shore of the lake. The boys used trickery and tactics to escape from the snake. In the end the boys returned to their village even closer best friends. A notable feature about this book are the vivid colors and realistic pictures of the African village and scenery. I could use this book as an instructional application to show the importance of friendship, but also as an introduction to learning about environments, such as the rain forest.… (más)

Summary: Young Yusuf loves to drink sweet palm sap and also sells it at the market. One day, Yusuf hears a sound near the tree and sees a family of baboons stealing the sap from his tree. Yusuf attempts to stop the baboons by cutting down trees, making a scarecrow and even putting a gourd-boy near the tree. All these are temporary fixes. Yusuf finally hatches a plan that involves help from his family, bitter wormwood, palm sap and bananas. Now Yusuf no longer worries about baboons stealing his palm sap.

Personal Reaction: I thought this book was fun. Exploring ideas to keep the baboons away and watching as they all went wrong was not as funny as I had hoped, but the story is still entertaining for a young age group.

Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. A taste test with sweet and bitter flavors for students.
2. Ask students to draw scarecrows to keep the baboons away.… (más)