The Magic Bojabi Tree

PreS-Gr 2—A retelling of an old African tale. During a famine, the animals are desperate for food and find a marvelous tree full of juicy fruit. However, a gigantic python has wrapped itself around the trunk and will not let them reach the fruit unless they can name the tree. Only Lion, King of the Jungle, knows its name, and Zebra sets off to ask him because he is the fastest. It is a long way to where Lion is napping, but Zebra finds him and gets his answer. On his way back, he gets distracted and forgets the tree's name. After several attempts by the other animals bring a similar result, an unlikely hero emerges. This is a wonderful story for telling; it may be familiar to some as "Uwungelema," and it is great to have a current version of it. Bright, detailed watercolor illustrations spill across the pages and capture the action and humor of the tale. A winner for most collections.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA