African Animal Tales

Originally transcribed in the Portuguese of colonial Guinea-Bissau, these 10 lively stories feature the familiar creatures of the jungles and savannas: monkeys, lions, leopards, hippos and more. Barbosa enhances the African setting by framing each tale within the more particular context of an African village. To introduce the fable of a tortoise and leopard who fall into the same trap, for example, the author begins by presenting village children who are enamored of a great hunter: ``What impressed them most was the number of amulets that decorated his body and his spear shaft.'' Easily read aloud within three or four minutes, each entry proceeds naturally, its shrewd humor producing subtle lessons. Fittipaldi's exuberant illustrations, based on traditional Yoruban art (found on Africa's east coast), spice up the African taste. An afterword by Guthrie explains the place of these stories in an oral tradition that extends to many cultures. Ages 7-up. (Nov.)